1995 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estephe, Wine Review

This was a good showing for this wine from what is a very hard and slow to mature vintage. At age 24, however, this one seems to be about at peak. Ruby in color with some browning. The nose is tight but eventually shows cassis, dust and slight soy sauce. On the palate, this again takes some time to open. This was pop and pour, but an hour decant might have been a good idea. Eventually, it shows cassis over a forest floor. It unwinds in the glass showing nice layering. Mild tannins. Medium finish. This should certainly drink well for the next decade. It works better with food and will go great with roasts.

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Vintage:

1995

Current Price:

$195.00USD

Bordeaux First Growths: Chateau Lafite, First Amongst First Growths

Of all Bordeaux first growths, perhaps none is as well known, both inside and outside of the wine world, as Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Its name transcends wine, standing as a symbol of luxury. How did it get this lofty reputation? And, more importantly is, it deserved? The answer to the second question is a definite yes. This article will explore the first question in more detail. The History: Records of this estate stretch as far back as 1234 when Gombaud de Lafite, abbot of the Vertheuil Monastery north of Pauillac, owned the property. The name Lafite comes from "la hite", a Gascon expression meaning "small hill." Records from the 14th century indicate that it was not a vineyard, but what the French call a seigneurie. This is an estate run by a lord and others who are effectively sharecroppers. The manor house was constructed in the 1500s and still standing today. Read part one of the First Growths Series. The Ségur family bought the property in the 1600s. Jacques de Ségur planted the vineyard in 1680 although grapes were no doubt grown before that. By the early 1700s, thanks to Nicolas-Alexandre, Marquis de Ségur, Chateau Lafite wines were very popular with those wealthy enough to afford them, first in English Society (where it was a favorite of Prime Minster Robert Walpole) and later in French society.

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2001 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estephe, Wine Revew

Vintage:

2001

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Current Price:

$213.00USD

Great showing for this wine. The vintage was good if not great, but at age 20, this is vibrant and youthful. Purple in color with some ruby swirls, opaque and bright. The first sniff has that classic soy sauce note often found in Cos. Also black cherries, cigar box, and slight roasted meats. Full bodied. On the palate, this has a great lush texture. Medium tannins. Lots of cassis with some smoke and a bit of earthiness. Good acidity. Long finish. This was pop and pour and really could have used an hour or so in a decanter. It needs a few more years until maturity but no harm in

2000 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estephe, Wine Review

Vintage:

2000

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Current Price:

$250.00USD

Classic Cos from the great B2K vintage. This has been a very slow developing vintage and the better wines are finally showing their wares. Purple in color with slight ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is vibrant with cassis, black cherries, soy sauce, spice, and leather. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Good balance. On the palate, Cassis, black cherries, some dried cherries with underlying spices. Some mint on the finish. This is just starting to approach peak and should drink well for the next twelve to fifteen years. A nice match for roasted fowl.

2008 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estèphe, Wine Review

Vintage:

2008

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Current Price:

$120.00USD

Cos d'Estournel is one of the great wines of Bordeaux and so, one of the great wines of the world. 2008 is a vintage that doesn't always get the respect that it deserve coming right before the pair of great vintages 2009 and 2010. It is also a bit more backward than its reputation and so the wines don't always show that well at this point. They will. This one is drinking well but patience will certainly be rewarded. It needs a few more years in the cellar to get to peak. Purple in color. The nose is nice with cassis and soy sauce. Also some baking spice. On the palate, this has med

2018 Les Pagodes de Cos, France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

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Current Price:

$48.00USD

This is the second wine of Cos D'Estournel. It is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with dust cassis, cherries, soy sauce, slight tobacco and spice. A great lush texture. Firm tannins. On the palate, cassis, black cherries, with spice and slight tobacco notes. Long finish. This needs another seven to ten years to mature and will drink well for ten to fifteen after that. It will work well with roasted meats such as Roasted Lamb with garlic.

1995 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estephe, Wine Review

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2008 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estèphe, Wine Review

2018 Les Pagodes de Cos, France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe, Wine Review