Cos d'Estournel 2012

Andreas Larsson - Tasted

Roasted and dark fruity, hints of vanilla, spices, inky dark fruit, very dense, ripe and full palate with layers of chocolate and dark fruit, opulent yet with a classic backbone of freshness and grainy tannin, very long and powerful finish, excellent material.

VertdeVin

The nose is aromatic, elegant and quite pure. It reveals notes of undergrowth, tobacco and slight notes of mocha, liquorice associated with hints of crushed blackberry, cassis, slight notes of wood as well as a discreet hint of flower and Sichuan pepper. The mouth is fruity, round, ample and offers fat, a nice minerality, opulence, a certain richness as well as fleshy fruits. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of cassis, blackberry and slight notes of crushed cherry, raspberry combined with fine touches of small red berries, hints of toasted oak, cardamom, a point of clove, spices, licorice stick, cigar and a very slight / discreet hint of cocoa (in the background). Tannins are fine and young. Good length. There is a slight hint of Sichuan pepper and a very discreet hint of gravely earth. Good potential (wait 5 years).

Adrian van Velsen - vvWine.ch

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2012 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It has a deep garnet-purple color and reveals expressive black cherries, black raspberries and red and black plums scents with subtler notes of cassis, menthol, pencil lead and cigar box plus a touch of lavender. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled, with a rock-solid frame of chewy tannins, it delivers a lively lift on the long finish. This is a lovely wine with slightly chewier tannins and less stuffing than the 2011. Needs 4-5 years.

Certainly, proprietor Michel Reybier has done fabulous work since acquiring Cos d’Estournel well over a decade ago. The investment in a state-of-the-art, space-age winemaking facility and intense work in the vineyard have all combined to produce a wine of true first-growth quality.

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2012 from Cos d'Estournel is a streamlined, elegant version of this cuvée that offers first rate notes of crème de cassis, graphite, smoked herbs and saddle leather, with hints of oak pushed into the background. Supple, medium to full-bodied and charming, yet with enough tannin to warrant short term cellaring, give bottles 5-6 years in the cellaring and enjoy over the following two decades.

James Suckling

Always excellent for the vintage. What a nose with currants, blackberries, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stones and wet earth too. Full-bodied and refined yet muscular and trim. Fabulously polished tannins. Try drinking in 2020.