Region | |
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Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Cos d'Estournel
The 2013 Cos d'Estournel has a fine bouquet: no vegetal signs here, clean and precise with blackberry, briary and iodine scents. While it does not possess this estate's usual complexity you have to admire the delineation interwoven into this wine. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well judged acidity, a gentle grip in the mouth and well integrated oak. There is still some edginess on the grainy finish that will be addressed by another 3-4 years in bottle, but this is certainly one of the better 2013s and it should give 15 years of pleasure.
Very, very impressive for the vintage with a dark fruits and impressive spice and mineral undertones. Full body, chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Tight and layered. Needs two or three years to open.
The Grand Vin is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc picked between 27 September and 10 October at 26.3hl/ha. It is being raised in 60% new oak and the alcohol level is around 12.7%. The fruit was sorted in the vineyard, two trips through the vineyard to weed out the millerande berries. I like the focus on the nose. It is not powerful but it is intense and very well defined with blackberry and cassis notes unfolding in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, a crisp level of acidity and overall, a somewhat relaxed feel, a nonchalant Cos d'Estournel that has accepted the growing season for what it is. It is actually cut from a similar cloth to the Montrose this year, although I find a little more persistency coming through towards the finish. This is a decent Cos d'Estournel that will need 4 to 6 years in bottle. Tasted April 2014.