Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

1998 Cos d’Estournel – Bottle Notes

The 1996 Cos d’Estournel was the winning bottle in the September Installment of Pick My Next Bottle.

Louis Gaspard d’Estournel founded Chateau Cos d’Estournel in 1811. Cos d’Estournel was one of the first wineries in Bordeaux to bottle, label and sell their own wine. The Chateau has exchanged hands many times over the years but today is owned and managed by Michel Reybier, who earned his fortune in the food industry and bought Cos in 2000.

I did not decant the wine and it picked up a little weight with time in the glass. It is worth noting that I am the original owner of this bottle and it has been cellared perfectly since it was released.

Crimson in color. 12.5% ABV. Gorgeous nose of dark fruits, leather and cigar box. Medium body with a core of plush fruits that is very compelling. Currants, cassis, plums and earth on the palate. Impressive length on the finish with mostly resolved tannins. Not the best Left Bank vintage but the pedigree of Cos d’Estournel shines through at 24 years of age. Best over the next 2-4 years.

My rating: 92 points.

The 2019 version of Cos d’Estournel is available on futures for around $150 per bottle. This represents a discount to recent vintages and if I were still a buyer of young Bordeaux I would give serious consideration to adding this wine to my cellar.

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