Chateau Cos d'Estournel - Saint-Estephe Red 2000 Magnum

Wine Region: Bordeaux - France

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (33%), Cabernet Franc (3%)

Tasting notes:

At tasting, the nose of this wine reveals many aromas, especially notes of graphite, crushed stone, blackberry and blackcurrant. On the palate, the Château Cos d'Estournel 2012 is rather full-bodied, structured, but with well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Its great ageing potential makes it possible to keep this wine until 2022 or even later.

Expert rating:

Robert Parker’s Wine advocate 96-98 / 100

“The medium-bodied palate has amazing elegance and grace contrasted by jaw-dropping energy, featuring a firm frame of finely grained tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with a whole firework display of mineral nuances. I love the way this Cos d'Estournel shimmies and shines—a unique vintage signature expressed so beautifully at this estate!”

Wine Enthusiast 96-98 / 100

“ Powerful, ripe fruits show exceptional quality and a velvety character that's allied to a ripe structure. With the freshness so typical of the vintage, the wine seems open and fruity but surprises with its density.”

James Suckling 97-98 / 100

“This is a very refined, polished Cos with superb finesse and length. Medium-to full-bodied, very fine and persistent. Really long with beautiful tannins. Rich, but fresh and linear. “

Decanter 97 / 100

“ You need to take a little time to let the concentrated flavors seep out, this is a long hauler. The tannins build slowly but surely through the palate, sombre and serious right now, particularly for an estate that is known for its exuberance. The opulence is there if you give it time, and as the tannins elongate and relax, richer notes of bilberry fruits, toasted cedar, salted chocolate, turmeric and black pepper spice arrives. Harvest September 10 to 24. A 3.9pH is the highest since 2003, but any threat of low acidity is balanced by high tannins, and relatively low alcohol.”

About the Winery:

The history of Château Cos d’Estournel begins in 1811 when its owner Louis Gaspard Lacoste of Maniban Marquis d’Estournel, having inherited some vineyards near the village of Cos, decided to vinify them separately. The wine of Cos d’Estournel was born. Very quickly, the wine surpasses the most prestigious wines and is exported to India. In 1855, Cos d’Estournel acceded to the classification of 1855 as second classified growth. In all, five owners were at the head of Cos d’Estournel. The last one was Michel Reybier, who bought the Château in 2000 and undertook many changes including a brand new barrel cellar but above all, a 100% gravity winemaking cellar: a real innovation in the region. The estate creates red and white wines.