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Cos d'Estournel 2012

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

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Label

Tasting Notes

The 2012 Cos d’Estournel is a classic expression of St.-Estèphe, with notes of graphite, crushed rock, blackberry, blackcurrant fruit, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, structured, but well-integrated tannins and a long finish of 35 seconds or more. This is a beauty and an undeniable top success in the Médoc for 2012. Give it 4-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades or more. The final blend, which achieved 13.8% alcohol, is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink 2019-2041

93+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (218), April 2015

Tasted as a barrel sample at the château. The Grand Vin is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that is being raised in 70% new oak. It delivers 13.79% alcohol and represents half of the total crop. It is initially quite taciturn on the nose with blackberry and briary notes, the Cabernet component coming through strongly with hints of iodine. Returning after 10 minutes, the mineral aromas are more pronounced. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. It is certainly well balanced, quite assertive at this stage with bold, dry tannins on the finish that is more concentrated than you would expect given the growing season. There is a pleasant salty note on the aftertaste that lingers long in the mouth. This is a steadfast, well-judged Cos d'Estournel, though it falls somewhat short of the mighty 2010. Tasted April 2013.

91/93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, May 2013

This is very tannic -- perhaps slightly too much -- but shows very pretty, intense fruit with blueberry and mineral character. Full and dense. Mineral and dried spices such as cloves under it all. Very muscular.

92/93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2013

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.

95
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, March 2022

Very dark and purple. Very interesting, almost putty nose. Intriguing and not so flamboyant and flashy as in some years. Really rather like Lafite 2012 on the nose! Perhaps a little tiny bit bitter on the finish but no excess of sweetness nor alcohol. Very measured. Solid impact. Very dry finish. I absolutely love the nose but find it a bit austere on the finish - but at least it is classic St-Estèphe. Slightly hard work at this stage; the most youthful wine I have tasted so far. '100% gravity-fed cellar helped us to be restrained in extraction', explained the new director Aymeric de Gironde.

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2013

Cos has taken a particular stylistic route since 2009 and this follows the same path, even in a
cooler vintage like 2012. It's a super concentrated, saturated style of wine with notes of plums
and blueberries, lashings of new oak and considerable power. What Château Pavie is to the Right
Bank, Cos is becoming to the Left. Not to everyone's taste, but certainly a well made red.
Drink: 2020-30

93
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2013
Read more tasting notes...

It has a saturated purple color, a classic style, abundant tannin, slight austerity, superb concentration, huge fruit, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and a structured, muscular, well-delineated finish. This impressive, full-bodied Cos will need time to round into shape. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades.

Proprietor Michel Reybier has produced an outstanding 2012 Cos d'Estournel from a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the rest tiny quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. With a pH of 3.75 and alcohol level of 13.8% this is a ripe wine with the same tannin levels (IPH) as the 2009. The second wine, the 2012 Les Pagodes de Cos, represents 50% of the production.

92/95
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (206), April 2013

Wow. What a nose with currants, blackberries, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stones and wet earth. Full-bodied, refined yet muscular and trim. Fabulously polished tannins. Try drinking in 2020.

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2015
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.