Château Cos d'Estournel 2016

Bright and high-pitched, with lime pith, kiwi core and jicama notes streaking through. A quinine accent echoes on the mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2021. 792 cases made.

90–92. Barrel Sample. This is a well-balanced wine that has ripe tropical-fruit and citrus flavors. Despite the warm, dry summer, it is so bright and lively, packed with fruitiness and crisp acidity.

Another Médoc white to bear in mind when selecting this year. A 75% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Semillon blend, the team picked over the course of four outings, right through to 10th October having started on 12th September. This is far enough up in the northern Médoc to get full estuary breezes, and with extreme selection the crop is one third less than last year. The aromatic precision is lovely, a fresh, clean line of citrus and white peach flesh that opens up and peels itself back through the palate.

This is very linear and direct on the palate, showing great potential and length. Full body with mango and dried-lemon character and a long, flavorful finish. Shows intent and seriousness. Tight and structured. Better after 2021.

The 2016 Cos d'Estournel Blanc offers a striking interplay of ripe fruit and fresher, more citrus-driven notes that contribute freshness. A hint of reduction adds attractive tension and nuance throughout. The Blanc was fermented and aged in mostly neutral oak (7% new), with some lees stirring, but no malolactic fermentation.

Fresh, bright, intense blast of lemon, grapefruit and floral notes. Crisp and invigorating, the bite of yellow citrus and green apple in the finish wakes your palate up.

Exotic yellow fruit notes, slightly riesling like with some toast and smoke not coming from oak, sweet citrus, peach and lemongrass dense with fine extract, grippy, pure and very long.

One of the finest white wines from this estate is the 2016 Cos d'Estournel Blanc, which is 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon brought up all in oak, 10% new. It boasts a vivid gold colour as well as intense notes of white grapefruit, crushed rocks, flower oil, and a kiss of brioche. Medium-bodied, rich, beautifully textured and concentrated, it's going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 10-15 years.

75% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Sémillon. Captivating nose with citrus verbena and grapefruit, followed by white pepper and lemon cream. On the palate, lean wine with waxy notes and perceptible minerality. Strict selection limited to limestone soil parcels. Concentrated finish with mandarin and spicy mineral notes.

Kunz Barrel Sample 17: (75% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Sémillon, 12.75% vol. Alcohol) Delicate, powerful, fruity Nose, lime cream, mint leaves, chalk, white peach. Elegant, full, fresh Palate with good fruit, silky structure, well-integrated acidity, fresh finish. Can still develop.

(75% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Sémillon, 12.75% vol. Alcohol) Delicate, powerful, fruity nose, lime cream, mint leaves, chalk, white peach. Elegant, full, fresh palate with good fruit, silky structure, well-integrated acidity, fresh finish. Can develop further. 17/20 2019 - 2032

Nose of pear, spices, yellow fruits, boxwood and slightly honeyed. Palate ample, fresh, William pear, saline edge, retains plenty of liveliness.

Pale yellow with subtle golden highlights. Inviting, intense nose, marked by notes of white pepper, anise and flint. Appetising and juicy on entry. On the palate, the wine has some richness and juice but is struggling to reveal its aromatic character at present. All the ingredients are there for it to showcase its potential. I have no real concerns about it.

The nose is aromatic and offers freshness along with subtle concentration. It reveals notes of lemon, ripe grapefruit and more subtly ripe nectarine combined with fine hints of ripe clementine as well as discreet touches of white flowers and crisp Williams pear. The palate is fruity, balanced, elegant and offers a lovely acidulous texture, smoothness, good definition, good precision, pleasant weight, energy and tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy/crisp pear, ripe lemon and more subtly clementine combined with small touches of ripe grapefruit, discreet hints of ripe/toasted hazelnut as well as a very subtle touch of pineapple, beeswax (in the background) and an imperceptible iodine note (in the background). Good length.

Pale colour, with green highlights. Intense, fine Nose, with ripe fruit character. Palate melting from the Auftakt, developing with an airy quality, full-bodied and especially flavourful, with brilliance on the finish. Normal length. I suggest enjoying it while young.