Cos d'Estournel 2010

The Wine Independent

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Still young, but even at this early stage, it is impossible not to be wowed by this wine. The layers of depth, intensity, richness, power, and finesse are almost off the charts. The black fruits are perfectly ripe, opulent, flamboyant, and fresh, as well as balanced, pure, and refined. This is a great vintage for Cos that will start showing its best with a few more years of age. Drink from 2028-2060.

Falstaff

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening, intense black berry fruit, attractive, ripe plums in the background, a hint of nougat and cocoa, delicate caramel, subtle hints of dried fruit. Very powerful, sweet and full-bodied, dark nougat, well embedded, vivid tannins, pleasant sweetness. Fresh structure, orange aftertaste, very good future ageing potential, chocolaty finish, fine extracted sweetness in the aftertaste.

Vinum Wine Magazine

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Cos d'Estournel unfurls slowly, measuredly, releasing delicate notes of dried mulberries, stewed plums and blackcurrant pastilles before giving way to notions of potpourri, black cherry compote and chocolate box plus touches of dried sage, tobacco and new leather. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid foundation of very firm, grainy tannins and very lively acidity supporting the remarkable intensity of tightly wound fruit layers, finishing very long and fragrant. Give it another 4-5 years in bottle and this will be stunning!

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2010 Château Cos D'Estournel is based on 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot that was pulled from just 55% of the total production and aged in 80% new French oak. Hitting 14.5% natural alcohol, this still dense purple-hued beauty offers extraordinary notes of blackcurrants, unsmoked tobacco, graphite, freshly sharpened pencils, and chocolate. Full-bodied, massively concentrated, and flawlessly balanced on the palate, it has building tannins, a skyscraper-like mouthfeel that opens up with time in the glass, and a great, great finish. Made in a much more focused, precise, and structured style compared to the more flamboyant 2009, it needs another 7-8 years of bottle age and will be a 50, 60, if not 75+ year wine.

James Suckling

There’s clarity and beauty to this wine as always with pure dark berry, stones and spices. Some clove too. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long finish. Pure and precise wine with so much class.