1988 Château Cos d'Estournel
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Tasting notes
Mid blueish crimson with a pale rim. Looks so much younger than the 1989 and 1990 tasted alongside! Nicely evolved. The nose recalls the 1998 tasted earlier. Manages to be both fresh and fleshy (whereas so many bordeaux 1988s are a bit austere). Well done. Nervy but not skinny. Very 'correct'. Clean and fresh. A certain sweetness at first and then still a little chewy but that just serves to keep it refreshing. Quite long. (JR)
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Dark crimson with a pale rim. Lustrous crimson. Very mineral nose – almost sucky stony and then lashings of rather charming fruit on the palate. Very serious, non-tricksy wine. Lots of palate impact especially on the finish. Very clean finish. Dry end but wonderful pure fruit before then. Talk about classic... (JR)
Deep crimson and young rim. Lightweight and not entirely clean. Lots of weight and tannin but no charm and a strange lack of fruit on the palate. Not a good bottle? (JR)
The 1988 has an intriguing bouquet of exotic spices and black fruits. Savagely tannic in its youth, the wine has softened and developed more charm and appeal. Still deep ruby/purple in color, with little signs of age, this medium-bodied, slightly austere wine possesses good cassis fruit, excellent purity, and an elegant, classic style. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2012. Last tasted 10/96
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.