...This has always been such an impressive wine, but it has also always been a Cos that is determined to have a long life...It has a deep garnet core, broody and tight, touches of black olive, chimney soot, dusty bureau and scorched earth. Very well defined. The palate is full-bodied with a dense, robust structure, a firm tannic frame that will see this comfortable through 30+ years. Masculine, a clenched fist of a wine and yet there is undoubtedly great balance and focus with notes of blackberry and pain grille. Powerful and broad-shouldered on the finish, it opens wonderfully in the glass. Approaching maturity, you could pop this now but I'd prefer to wait another 2-3 years. Drink 2012-2030+. eRobertParker.com (Neal Martin)
Mike Saviage
Dark scarlet, opaque. Ethereal nose with a tobacco leaf dominance. Also, notes of black fruit, raspberries, fresh cut cigar, dark soil, cedar desk and a little menthol. Rich in the mouth. More delicate than the more angular Montelena next to it. This was more complex and had more going for it, but both bottles paired well with the meat courses at the table.
Dark scarlet, opaque. Ethereal nose with a tobacco leaf dominance. Also, notes of black fruit, raspberries, fresh cut cigar, dark soil, cedar desk and a little menthol. Rich in the mouth. More delicate than the more angular Montelena next to it. This was more complex and had more going for it, but both bottles paired well with the meat courses at the table.
9.4Lee Pitofsky
I was very interested in trying this bottle for myself, as I know I’d seen a little Insta-negativity surrounding it
I was very interested in trying this bottle for myself, as I know I’d seen a little Insta-negativity surrounding it
9.3David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
The reason I fell in love with Bordeaux is because I had one of the greatest mentors one could have, Clyde Beffa Jr. - Owner of K&L Wine Merchants. I could never thank him enough or show enough gratitude for the kindness he has shown me. He has been going to Bordeaux multiple times a year for 40 plus years and shown me the greatness of well made Bordeaux’s enjoyed at the age of 25 years plus! Many who open well made Bordeaux’s young will never know the absolute Heaven they bring to the palate and even more so with a great steak. You only rob yourself of perfection when you open them inside of 25 years. Sure you can check em at 10-15 years for longevity but, you need to have/save bottles for 25 years plus. Also, an old Bordeaux at 95 is not nearly the same as a young 95. At this age, technical scores are simply not the same as young wine. The enjoyment is completely different. The nose reveals; a slight touch of funk, dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries on the edge of the glass, anise, cedar, graphite, used leather, just a whiff of green pepper, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark Asian spice, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The body is round, soft and full. The 90 is the definition of elegant and floral. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfect with another 5-10 years of pleasure to give. It’s gorgeous and sexy. Dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, some blueberries, strawberries on the long set, anise, cedar, graphite, soft, used leather, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, salted, milk chocolate, dark Asian spice with just a touch of palate heat, a hint of green pepper, savory meats, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry crushed minerals, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The acidity is perfect like a warm gentle rain shower. The finish is a “forget about it.” It’s; gorgeous, sexy, lush, ripe, just the right amount of earthiness, elegant, well balanced and will persist until you go to sleep. 13% ABV. I sure miss the 12–13% ABV of the 80 & early 90 Bordeaux’s. Photos of; the majestic Chateau Cos d’Estournel and Estate vines, their barrel room with translucent floor to walk above, their library cellar that most would love to raid and their sitting salon.
The reason I fell in love with Bordeaux is because I had one of the greatest mentors one could have, Clyde Beffa Jr. - Owner of K&L Wine Merchants. I could never thank him enough or show enough gratitude for the kindness he has shown me. He has been going to Bordeaux multiple times a year for 40 plus years and shown me the greatness of well made Bordeaux’s enjoyed at the age of 25 years plus! Many who open well made Bordeaux’s young will never know the absolute Heaven they bring to the palate and even more so with a great steak. You only rob yourself of perfection when you open them inside of 25 years. Sure you can check em at 10-15 years for longevity but, you need to have/save bottles for 25 years plus. Also, an old Bordeaux at 95 is not nearly the same as a young 95. At this age, technical scores are simply not the same as young wine. The enjoyment is completely different. The nose reveals; a slight touch of funk, dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries on the edge of the glass, anise, cedar, graphite, used leather, just a whiff of green pepper, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark Asian spice, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The body is round, soft and full. The 90 is the definition of elegant and floral. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfect with another 5-10 years of pleasure to give. It’s gorgeous and sexy. Dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, some blueberries, strawberries on the long set, anise, cedar, graphite, soft, used leather, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, salted, milk chocolate, dark Asian spice with just a touch of palate heat, a hint of green pepper, savory meats, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry crushed minerals, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The acidity is perfect like a warm gentle rain shower. The finish is a “forget about it.” It’s; gorgeous, sexy, lush, ripe, just the right amount of earthiness, elegant, well balanced and will persist until you go to sleep. 13% ABV. I sure miss the 12–13% ABV of the 80 & early 90 Bordeaux’s. Photos of; the majestic Chateau Cos d’Estournel and Estate vines, their barrel room with translucent floor to walk above, their library cellar that most would love to raid and their sitting salon.
9.5Bethany D'Meza
tobacco, leather.... in a great place ....
tobacco, leather.... in a great place ....
9.3Jean-Francois Pelletier
Garnet color. Red fruit and pencil lead on the nose. Full body, almost hedonistic with a long finish. Excellent.
Garnet color. Red fruit and pencil lead on the nose. Full body, almost hedonistic with a long finish. Excellent.
9.2Josh Weinstein
It just kept getting better with air
It just kept getting better with air
9.4WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.