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. - eRobertParker.com, RP (4/2015)
Solid, with pure lilac and violet notes out front, backed by slightly taut plum, currant and bitter cherry flavors that unwind slowly through the finish. This has good drive, cut and intensity, and is one of the better efforts of the vintage.—Non-blind Cos-d'Estournel vertical (December 2015). Best from 2018 through 2028. 15,917 cases made. — JM (03/2016)
(a blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot, 5 g/l total acidity; 3.73 pH, 95 IPT; 13.8% alcohol): Bright, full ruby. Aromas of fresh blackcurrant, graphite and bitter chocolate are complicated by delicately smoky minerality and lifted by an enticing floral quality. Fine-grained, generous and sweet, with plenty of sound acidity giving noteworthy precision to the palate. Finishes dense and long, with soft, polished tannins and lingering notes of red and darker fruits. A lovely Cos, more refined and less exotic than some previous vintages. You can tell they are de-leafing a great deal less at Cos of late and vintages since 2009 have shown less "solar" personalities and more precision. Interestingly, this is the first year in a long time that I recall cabernet franc making it into the grand vin at Cos. Winemaker Dominique Arangoits told me it's from a one-hectare parcel of 35-year-old vines on clay that ripened well, and it no doubt contributed to this wine's bright perfume. The grand vin represents 50% of the total production in 2012.- Ian D'Agata (05/2013)
Producer: Cos d'Estournel
Vintage: 2012
Varietal: Red Blend
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub-Region: Medoc
Appellation: St Estephe
Sub-Appellation:
SKU: #
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