Chateau Cos d´Estournel 2015

JAMES SUCKLING: "Super aromas of nutmeg, cloves and dried flowers with plums and blackberries. Subtle yet so complex. Full-bodied, tight and integrated with ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Lasts for minutes. Very, very Cos. Harmony. Texturally marvellous. Drink in 2024."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Full bodied, richly textured and with equal amounts of elegance and power, the wine is loaded with sweet, ripe, dark, red fruits, Asian spice, tobacco, thyme, wet earth, blackberry and cassis. With lush, refined textures and a sweetness to the fruit on the palate, this will be much better with at least one decade of aging."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "While this wine is rich, it has a classical demeanor, with fine tannins that support but never dominate the ripe black fruits. Full of juicy acidity, it offers black currants and some fine, firm tannins at the end. This will take some time to mature, and the wine will not be ready to drink before 2027."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cos d'Estournel is muted at this very young stage. The nose offers fleeting glimpses at provocative cherry tart, chocolate mint, baked redcurrants, warm cassis and wild blueberry scents plus suggestions of lilacs, cinnamon stick and Indian spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate absolutely explodes with vibrant red and black fruit bursts and tons of exotic spice accents, framed by super ripe, super firm tannins and a lovely line of freshness, finishing very long."

WEINWISSER: "75 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 23,5 % Merlot, 1,5 % Cabernet Franc. Intensives Bouquet mit gekochten Kirschen, Mokka, Gewürznelken, Zimt und schwarzen Oliven. Eine Nuance von Blutnoten erinnert an die Rhône. So wie der Goulée und der Pagodes ist auch der Grand Vin unglaublich geschmeidig auf der Zunge. Er scheint deswegen mehr Fett wie Fleisch zu haben, im Extrakt dann eine noble Bitternote aufweisend, welche die Würze nochmals im Finale unterstreicht. Vor 30 Jahren verkostete ich zu einem ähnlichen Zeitpunkt den 1985er Cos und dieser scheint unglaublich viele Parallelen mit dem 2015er aufzuweisen. Ein ziemlich grosser Cos, aber für einen ganz Grossen fehlt ihm noch etwas mehr Kraft."

DECANTER: "Rich fruit that is full of that classic exotic Cos spice, yet more restrained than in the past with a slatey graphite base. Beautifully put together; an exciting wine that will grow in complexity and flavour."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Aromatic. Polished. Tea-leaf flavours and rather suave for a 2015 St-Estèphe. Clean and fresh. A good drink. Racy with lots of interest."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This has a gently steeped core of currant, plum and black cherry fruit, infused with black tea, singed juniper and smoldering tobacco notes. The vintage's overt austerity is less evident here, with a gloss of alluring toast adding polish to the finish. A strong effort. Best from 2020 through 2032. 15,000 cases made."