Chateau Cos d´Estournel 1996

19 RENÈ GABRIEL: "Mittleres Weinrot, fein aufhellender Rand. Das Bouquet ist sehr würzig, exotische Hölzer, mittlerer Druck aber sehr vielschichtig mit mineralischem Ansatz. Der Duft ist unglaublich anmutend. Im Gaumen ist er sublim und elegant. Man spürt die Nähe zum Nachbarweingut förmlich in den Finessen. Eine gereifte Delikatesse. Und immer noch ein guter Kauf."

17 JANCIS ROBINSON: "At first there was a slightly green note on the nose but then on the palate the fruit was rich, dense and rather glorious. As it opened up in the glass I got the slightest suggestion of brett on the nose, followed by a hint of ashes. It´s pretty good stuff but not nearly as thrilling as the 1989 served alongside it."

94 THE WINEADVOCATE: "Tasted at the château, the 1996 Cos d´Estournel was aged in 65% new oak (unlike the 1995 which was 100%) and is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. It has a straight down the line, intense and focused, graphite and melted tar bouquet. It is almost Pauillac in style, no surprise given its proximity. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh acidity, finer tannin than the 1986 Cos d´Estournel tasted alongside, but sharing those same leitmotifs of black pepper and sea salt. I like the nonchalance of this Cos d´Estournel. At 20 years it is not an ostentatious wine, not determined to go out and impress, but its nuance, stylishness and classicism grow on you. Its virtues seem to register only after you swallow the wine and find yourself tempted back for more. Excellent. Tasted July 2016." Drink: 2016 - 2040 - Neal Martin.

94 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "What a difference this was compared to the previous bottle I tasted. This delicious St. Estephe produced from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot offers truffle, tobacco, wood, cassis, forest floor, Asian spice and blackberry with hints of mocha in the aromatics. Powerful, full bodied, round and classy, the wine is starting to enter maturity, ending in a long, spicy, black cherry and earthy finish. It´s drinking great today, but in a few more years, it´s going to be even better."

94 ANTONIO GALLONI: "Saturated deep ruby. Ineffable aromas of black fruits, minerals, licorice and Havana tobacco. Rich, dense and thick; powerful but harmonious. Layered texture over a strong backbone. Very long on the palate, with thoroughly ripe, noble cabernet tannins. Superb."

90 WINESPECTATOR: "Lots of tobacco, berry and spice character on the nose. Light herbal undertone. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a caressing, pretty-textured finish. Chewy. I would wait a little. 1995 looks better to me now. Outstanding but not as exciting as I remember.--´95/´96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008. 26,000 cases made."