Chateau Cos d´Estournel 2006

WEINWISSER: 19 RENÈ GABRIEL´S BX TOTAL: "07: 78 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 % Merlot, 2 % Cabernet Franc. 38 hl/ha. 45 % der Produktion wurde als Pagodes deklassiert. Tiefdunkles Weinrot, violette Reflexe in der Mitte. Geniales Bouquet, Kandisnoten, viel Lakritze, Black Currant, schwarze Oliven, Redwood und Palisandernoten, nobel und finessenreich. Die Genialität setzt sich im Gaumen fort, hoch feine, reife, im ganzen Gaumen gleichmässig verteilte Tannine, eine tolle, ausufernde Aromatik, dunkel unterlegte Rösttöne und viel schwarze und blaue Beeren. Warum ist dieser Wein so gross? Weil er bei mittlerem Körper und perfekter Eleganz ein Maximum an Aromatik und Kraft ausstrahlt, extrem nachhaltig. Natürlich kann er seine Jahrgangstypischen, oder auch Appellationstypischen Gerbstoffe nicht ganz verheimlichen, aber diese sind verdammt gut verpackt und werden wesentlich zum Alterungspotential beitragen. 09: Auf Cos mit einer Gruppe getrunken. Nelkenpilver, Mocca, Leder und Rauch, tiefwürzig. Im Gaumen feines Fleisch, gut stützende Säure, die Art des genialen Weines tanzt zwischen modern und klassisch."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: 96 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Dark in color, but there is some lightening at the rim of the glass taking place, coupled with concentration of flavor, ripe, but firm tannins, layers of sweet, ripe, fresh, black fruits, minerality and spice, there is a lot to like about this wine. That being said, it´s not ready for its prime time debut. Give it another 5 years before you pop a cork, if you can wait that long."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Cos d´Estournel has softened those austere Saint-Estèphe tannins and produced a wine that is all opulence and roundness. The tannins are certainly there, but they come through as big, bold richness. The power suggests it will age well, but for drinking earlier, the freshness of the sweet homemade plum jam promises well."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is very meaty and spicy now with hints of leafs and wet earth. Full body, chewy tannins and a medium finish. Ready for drinking. But has life ahead of it."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Dark garnet. Pungent, tarry nose. Quite exciting! Fresh and round. Good balance. Lively. Pretty wine. Not that obviously St-Estèphe. Marked concentration."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A racy, fresh style, with the lighter profile of the vintage pulling in red currant and bitter cherry flavors, while the telltale thread of charcoal and bay lingers as well. The tannins are ever so slightly grainy, but the fruit has subtle persistence in the end.—Non-blind Cos-d´Estournel vertical (December 2015). Drink now through 2026. 15,833 cases made."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted at Bordeaux Index´s annual 10-Year On tasting in London.The 2006 Château Cos d´Estournel has a far superior bouquet to the Montrose, much more fruit intensity with ferrous red berry fruit, hints of undergrowth and Indian spice (most appropriate!). The palate is medium-bodied with supple Merlot-driven savory red fruit, a little grainy in texture with moderate depth, leading to a spicy finish that seems quite forward for a Cos d´Estournel at this juncture. There is no harm in drinking this now, though I wager that it will offer another ten years of pleasure. Just don´t expect it to be your favorite Cos d´Estournel in recent years. Tasted January 2016." Drink: 2016 - 2030 - Neal Martin.