Vintage 2005
A.O.C. Saint- Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
Cos d’Estournel (lit. a hill of pebbles) produces more elegant and less angular Saint-Estèphe than its Bordeaux neighbours, due largely to a relatively high percentage of Merlot in its blends.
Sited on a gravelly ridge, overlooking the Pauillac-Saint-Estèphe border and looking down on the vineyards of Château Lafite Rothschild, Cos d’Estournel (resplendent in an oriental facade carved from soft golden sandstone) is a fitting monument to its wines.
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“This has a very deep, broody nose with immense concentration but it is tightly wound. Blackberry, boysenberry, minerals with a touch of rose petals – it is certainly less opulent than last year. The palate has immense concentration, powerful black fruit, perfect acidity, great sense of symmetry and focus. Real poise and controlled power. Builds and builds in the glass. Slight meatiness on the finish that just takes its foot off the accelerator. A majestic Cos d’Estournel, of that there is no doubt.” eRobertParker.com (Jul 2009)
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