A voluptuous, fascinating Saint-Estephe Red
Produced from a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc the 2016 vintage from Chateau Cos d'Estournel benefit from exceptionally atypical conditions. Situated north of the Medoc, in the Saint-Estephe appellation, the older vines enjoy a terroir with a lot of clay which is ideal for producing rare wines. The deep roots allow the vines to combat the extreme weather, such as droughts in the Gironde department. The wine was aged in barrels, 60% were new.
Chateau Cos d'Estournel 2016 is exquisitely graceful, ample without excess, and delicately well-balanced. Just like its legend- Cos d'Estournel is initially secretive and intriguing- slowly the wine opens up and brilliantly delivers its intense fruit. The wine's exceptional balance gives it a soft character, and enjoyable to drink. The tannins presented are smooth, and well integrated. The wine exuberates elegance and finesse, and a persistent finish. Cos d'Estournel's 2016 vintage shows an impressive potential for guarding.
Parker : 100 / 100
J. Robinson : 17.5 / 20
Wine Advocate-Parker :
The 2016 Cos d'Estournel is blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc aged in 65% new and 35% two-year-old French oak for 15 months. Bottled in July 2018, it is deep garnet-purple colored and starts off a little closed and reticent, opening out slowly and seductively to reveal beautiful lilacs, rose hip tea, crushed stones and camphor nuances over a core of crème de cassis, kirsch, wild blueberries and mocha plus wafts of incense and wood smoke. The palate is simply electric, charged with an energy and depth of flavors that seem to defy the elegance and ethereal nature of its medium-bodied weight, featuring super ripe, densely pixelated tannins that firmly frame the myriad of fruit and floral sparks, finishing with epic length. Just. Magic.
