Chateau Cos d´Estournel 2011

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is really excellent for the vintage with currants, dark berries and minerals on the nose and palate. Full body, firm tannins and a long finish. It’s a bit linear but racy and superb. One of the best of the vintage. Better in 2020."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2011 Cos d'Estournel gives up compelling notes of roasted nuts, black cherry compote, blueberry pie and red and black currants with touches of yeast extract and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, very firm, grainy textured and with a great core of youthful black fruits, the palate reveals loads of savory layers on the very long finish. This is very youthful and slowly maturing—a very impressive showing for this vintage!"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Powerful, very rich and very concentrated, this epitomizes the opulent style of Cos d'Estournel. A sense of extraction is overwhelmed by the huge, ripe fruit. It shows velvet texture at first, but then the tannins come on strongly, leaving a wine that will age over many years. Drink from 2022."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Candied black licorice, cassis, black and red ripe cherries and spice are easily found in the perfume. The wine is soft, with polished round tannins and a medium body. In the mouth, the wine has added weight and filled out in its texture since last tasted. The wine is already accessible and can be enjoyed young, or allowed to age for more complexity."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, mit zartem Nougat unterlegte dunkle Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von feuchtem Unterholz, etwas Dörrobst. Komplex, schwarzes Waldbeerkonfit, straffe Tannine, frischer Säurebogen, salzig-mineralischer Abgang, dezente vegetale Würze im Rückgeschmack, wirkt etwas überextrahiert. In dieser Frühphase noch nicht überzeugend."