2012 Cos d'Estournel
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Cos d'Estournel has a perfumed bouquet with blackberry, cedar, undergrowth and black pepper aromas all well-defined and focused, with more vigour than many of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, good acidity, maybe a tad strict and dry on the finish, yet I admire its intensity and terroir expression. There was some bottle variation here, one bottle dominated by wood, the other more typical Cos d'Estournel with plenty of fruit. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Mid glowing crimson. Light cassis notes on the nose. A certain lusciousness on palate entry but a pretty dry finish. (JR)
Plenty of exotic spices, saffran, clove, black pepper, turmeric, cassis, with sandalwood, gunsmoke and cedar smoke. Both character and bite, with plenty of impact. 50% of overall production, this is a successful Cos d'Estournel with plenty to recommend, capturing the gourmet sweetness of the vintage. 70% new oak.
Tasted blind. Bright healthy crimson. Direct, straight, correct but not yet ready. And not especially concentrated. Classic claret with a positive spin. Very dry finish. (JR)
About the producer
Louis Gaspard d’Estournel inherited Cos and Pomys in 1791, founding Cos d’Estournel in 1811, investing significantly in the property and expanding the estate from 14 to 45 hectares. The estate rapidly rose to prominence and the wines were exported around the world.