Château Cos d'Estournel 2023

Deep, expressive, nutty, hay, herbs, citrus notes. Fresh palate, shows tension, balance, plenty of spice, long finish. Classy!

Some herbal elements on the nose with peach, lime and a hint of mango, white chocolate and vanilla. Lovely weight and body, enough to be mouth filling and give some density and concentration on the palate. Lively, supple, a great richness and a touch of sweetness that gives it roundness while the Sauvignon Blanc adds crisp apple and green stone fruit. Extremely low pH of 3.14 keeps the focus on the freshness and acidity really countering the ripe fruit. A great effort this year.

The 2023 Cos d'Estournel Blanc has really come along since I tasted it from barrel. Apricot, chamomile, white flowers, tangerine peel, lemon confit and marzipan are all dialed up. Soft, generous contours wrap it all together in style. This is impeccably done.

White flowers, lemon curd, spice, almonds, oranges, and crisp, green apples form the bouquet. The palate is bright, zesty, fruity, and fresh. The finish has a spicy tone to the sweet, lively yellow citrus in the finish. This is the first vintage including the new blocks, bringing the vineyard to 10 hectares of white wine grape varietals. The wine is a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. Drink from 2026-2033.

Powerful, concentrated, fleshy, finessed, quince, citrus, white peach, pear, delicious and full of saline crushed oyster shell. This one really does take its time, unrolling to show steel, slate, green apple, spice. Michel Reybier owner, well integrated oak, just 7% new. Harvest September 5 to 15.

The nose is well-crafted, elegant, precise and racy, offering depth with notes of vineyard peach, fleshy nectarine and, more subtly, crisp small fruits, joined by hints of nutmeg, fresh toasty tones, and a delicate touch of grapefruit, fresh apricot and a subtle hint of fresh spices. The palate is beautifully led, sapid, supple and juicy, delivering indulgence with a lovely, silky texture that remains delicate and precise. It reveals notes of pulpy/juicy vineyard peach, crushed nectarine and, more lightly, vibrant green apple, combined with hints of zest, tangy/juicy citrus, as well as a fine touch of racy minerality, honeysuckle, quince and a subtle almost-starfruit note in the background, plus a delicate hint of fresh toast. Lovely gourmandise and a soft/sapid finish that lingers. A crystalline side with real intensity, fine structure and volume. A pleasing textured/gourmand character, especially on the finish

This is plump, pure and fresh, with a live wire of sel gris running through a crystal-clear set of white peach, Jonagold apple, honeysuckle and tarragon notes. A subtle twinge of oyster shell enhances the long, precise finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2030. 1,500 cases made, 400 cases imported.

Yellow-green color. Intense nose with fresh, fruity aromas. A hint of oak in the background. Becomes creamy when the glass is swirled. Broad on the attack, flavorful on the mid-palate and fragrant, the wine develops a rich, powerful finish. Good, sappy length.