2023 Chateau Cos d'Estournel - 2eme Cru St. Estephe

Decanter.com – 96 pts – GH: *Some herbal touches on the nose with dark chocolate, a little exotic with quite dark ripe blackcurrants. Expressive and alive in the glass, weighty and smooth, a great texture and structure to this, more fleshy and ripe than I was expecting with a mineral undercurrent. Lots going on here, less showy as the fruit subsides and leaves some grippy, powdery tannins that linger. Still serious and needs time to come together, a little quiet and intense on the finish. Not so much overt acidity, more power and structure at this point. First time green harvesting since 2008. 12% press wine, less than in 2022. Shorter maceration in 2023, 23 days compared to 28-30 at cooler temperatures. Ageing 50% new oak. In organic conversion. 53% grand vin, 47% second wine. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend.* - 04/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 95 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Gewürznuancen, ein Hauch von Cassis und dunklen Waldbeeren, Anklänge von Nelken und Kardamom. Saftig, gute Komplexität, rote Herzkirschen im Kern, integrierte Tannine, mineralisch, bleibt haften, zeigt einige Frische, etwas Nugat im Nachhall, bereits entwickelt und zugänglich.* - 05/2024

Vinum Magazin – 97/100 pts: *Zurückhaltend, nobel, tiefgründig, kein lauter Wein, besticht mit Druck und Eleganz, ohne dabei zu überborden, sensationelle Tanninqualität, viel Energie, mineralisches Finish. Ein Balletttänzer eines Cos, der wunderbar reifen wird.*

WeinWisser – 18,5/20 pts – GL, TW: *65 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 33 % Merlot, 1 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot, 12.91 Vol.-%, pH 3.75, 50 % neue Barriques. Dicht verwobenes Bouquet, frischgepflückte schwarze Johannisbeere, zartes Veilchenparfüm und Holundersaft, dahinter Graphit, Orangenzeste und heller Tabak. Am komplexen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, stützender nerviger Rasse, präzise ausgerichtet, feinkörnige Extraktfülle und durchtrainierter Körper. Im konzentrierten langen Finale mit Schlehengelee, Estragon und zarter Bitterness.* – 04/2024

JancisRobinson.com – 17,5/20pts – JL: *65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 53% of the production. Cask sample. Deep purple-black hue. Aromatic and exotic with spice and chocolate notes. Smooth attack then long and persistent. Plenty of freshness. Structured but slightly dry and chewy on the finish at the moment. Clear ageing potential.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (96-98) pts – AG: *The 2023 Cos d’Estournel is fabulous. Dark, resonant and inviting, the 2023 has so much to offer. All the elements are beautifully woven together. Black cherry, plum, licorice, espresso, mocha and incense fill out the layers. Readers will find a Cos endowed with tremendous substance and intensity. I can't remember a young Cos with this much fruit concentration, yet there is nothing overdone here. I loved it.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (94-96) pts – NM: *The 2023 Cos d'Estournel, picked from September 12 to 29 and matured in 50% new oak, blossoms in the glass. The aromatics deliver nearly immediate gratification: black cherries, wild strawberries, crushed violet petals and vanilla pod. It’s all quite sumptuous but very well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled, slightly powdery tannins. It’s beautifully balanced with a very pure and seductive finish. This is a notably composed and assured Cos d'Estournel, almost a lesson in how less can be more. It’s only a couple of steps behind the previous vintage.* - 04/2024

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (96-98) pts – JL: *It takes some coaxing to find the red, purple, and white floral bouquet, but it comes with swirling, along with Asian spice, smoke, tobacco, and licorice. But, it is the palate that offers thrills with its silky, fresh, opulent textures. There is a vivid quality to the fruit, coupled with a relaxed character, finishing with black, red, and blue fruits complicated by Indian spices. It reminds me of a modern version of the 1990, with selection. The wine was made from blending 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. 13% ABV, 3.75 pH. The harvest took place September 12 to September 29. This is the first vintage, since 2008 the estate green harvested. The Grand Vin was produced from 53% of the harvest. The wine is going to be approachable early in its life, yet it has the ability to age for decades. Drink from 2029-2060.* - 05/2024