Château Cos d'Estournel, 2eme Cru Classé, St Estèphe, 2014
This is Aymeric de Gironde's second full vintage at Cos d'Estournel and it was a lot easier than his first. There is a bit more restraint and elegance in the 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc blend than usual, but it is a bit, well, made. Not confected, but it feels like more of a product of winemaking than something that speaks of its terroir. Very glossy, sweet spice, black fruits, prunes, coffee, liqueur fruits - quite confit. It is more restrained than usual, but there is still a hint of overripe Merlot fruit. Quite alluring if not well delineated flavours of tayberry, wild berry fruit and a hint of gravel. The finish is pure, dark and mineral. Not an exceptional Cos, but it may come together nicely with a few years in bottle.
critic reviews
Selecting the right moment for opening these serious wines is never easy, and the 2014 vintage will continue to soften and open over the next few decades, but the opulent black fruits in this vintage are already filling out the tannic frame. In just the 12 months since I last tasted this wine, the inky confidence and gourmet edging is increasingly irresistable. Cigar box, graphite, cloves and crushed rocks abound, with pomegranate and blueberry fruit. Beautiful, in a great vintage for this appellaiton. Michel Reybier owner, Aymeric de Gironde director at the time.