Château Cos d'Estournel 2023

Some herbal touches on the nose with dark chocolate, a little exotic with quite dark ripe blackcurrants. Expressive and alive in the glass, weighty and smooth, a great texture and structure to this, more fleshy and ripe than I was expecting with a mineral undercurrent. Lots going on here, less showy as the fruit subsides and leaves some grippy, powdery tannins that linger. Still serious and needs time to come together, a little quiet and intense on the finish. Not so much overt acidity, more power and structure at this point. First time green harvesting since 2008. 12% press wine, less than in 2022. Shorter maceration in 2023, 23 days compared to 28-30 at cooler temperatures. Ageing 50% new oak. In organic conversion. 53% grand vin, 47% second wine. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

The 2023 Cos d'Estournel is just as compelling as it was en primeur. I especially admire how it balances textural richness and vibrancy. Crushed flowers, mint, spice, rose petal, mocha, lavender and new leather caress the palate. The balance here is just mind-blowing. Technical Director Dominique Arangoïts made all the right calls, that much is obvious. There is a tendency to describe this 2023 as "classic," admittedly a word that can mean so many things. The 2023 Cos d'Estournel certainly fits the bill in my book.

Chocolate, mint, licorice, smoke, tobacco, black and blue fruits with hints of Asian spices show up on the nose with just a few swirls. But as is often the case with Cos, it’s the palate that delivers the real thrill, thanks to its creamy, plush, opulent texture. The fruit is vibrant, spicy, and fresh, leaving layers of opulent black, red, and blue fruits with a spicy edge that lingers and expands long after the wine has left the glass. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. The wine will be approachable early, yet it has the ability to age for decades. Drink from 2030–2060.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate rim brightening. Fine savoury nuances, a hint of cassis and dark wild berries, hints of clove and cardamom. Juicy, good complexity, red heart cherry at the core, integrated tannins, mineral, lingers, shows some freshness, some nougat on the finish, already developed and accessible.

Fully delivering on En Primeur promise, a beautiful 2023 that lives up to the best of the vintage. Slate, cocoa bean, oyster shell, bitter black chocolate, sinewy and muscular and utterly delicious, with a kick of gourmet opulent seductive charm, followed up by a punch of tannins. Harvest September 12 to 29 (last year finished September 22). 50% new oak for ageing, 53% 1st wine. In organic conversion (that began in 2021, but have had to extend after addition of a few more plots to the vineyard). Tasted twice

Score: 94–96. A restrained bouquet with delicate aromas of sap and flowers, like a rose garden after a summer shower, revealing a deeper core of ripe fruit and freshly ground coffee beans. Very floral on the palate, with a top note of peony, underlined by an earthy hint of iris. The wine is silky, gliding into every corner of the mouth, and the tannins are fleshy and flavorful, extending the finish.

In this ripe vintage, Cos shows remarkable freshness, under 13%, with a thirst‑quenching profile that comes from the quality of its tannins. “This terroir always gives power; we can dare to extract less—it’s a comfort,” notes Dominique Arrangoïts. Licorice, blackcurrant, orange peel, graphite, seamless integration, and depth on the palate are its signature.

Restrained, noble, profound; not a loud wine. It captivates with drive and elegance without ever overflowing; sensational tannin quality, lots of energy, a mineral finish. A ballet dancer of a Cos that will age beautifully.

An impressive wine, its black chocolate aroma and rich, firm texture promising considerable potential. With layers of black currant and spice flavors, this powerful young wine has great intensity. Drink the wine from 2030.

Offers up showy flavors of crushed loganberry, blackberry and black cherry preserves that feel forward but are soon harnessed by singed cedar, alder and incense accents that catch them from behind. The sweet tobacco–gilded finish flows with generosity. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2039. 10,000 cases made, 2,500 cases imported.

The clarity, subtlety, immediate presence and depth that show from the very first aromas are impressive. Everything points to a wine that reaches for the realms of perfection. Nuances of blackcurrant mingle with eucalyptus and mint, while graphite notes remind you exactly where you are—along with the impact of king Cabernet! Juicy yet dense on the attack, the wine brilliantly demonstrates its versatility, its ability to shine on several fronts, and its clear talent for bringing vigorous, vibrant elements into symbiosis, guiding them toward a fascinating elegance. Such grandeur, with so much tact to boot. The subtlety, finesse and precision of this 2023 have nothing to envy the more demonstrative 2022. A brilliant Cos, humbly and aptly positioned among the very greatest 2023s of the vintage!

Deep, intense red colour. Very aromatic, refined and pure nose. Notes of black fruits, hazelnuts and spices. Swirling confirms a distinctive, one-of-a-kind aromatic profile. Precise on the attack and immediately very fleshy and flavourful, the wine builds in power, leading to a long, complex finish where everything comes together on a particularly enveloping tannic frame. This is Cos.