The 2023 Cos d'Estournel, a Bordeaux blend from the esteemed region of St Estephe, is a true paragon of French viticulture. This wine, boasting an impressive score of 99 from James Suckling, is a charismatic and beguiling expression of the terroir, featuring a complex ensemble of fruit, vivid flowers, and a distinct minerality likened to lead pencil and graphite. The elegance of the Cabernet Sauvignon, constituting 65% of the blend, is beautifully interlaced with the depth of the Merlot, making up 33% of the blend, and the remaining 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot add a nuanced complexity that is truly intriguing.
The rich, opulent hue of this red wine is as enticing as the promises of its palate. Its taste profile, as described by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, is a harmonious marriage of cassis, wild berries, orange zest, and exotic spices, all enveloped in a seamless, medium to full-bodied structure with suave tannins.
The 2023 Cos d'Estournel also impresses Antonio Galloni of Vinous, as it exudes an inviting resonance of black cherry, plum, licorice, espresso, mocha, and incense, all seamlessly integrated to create a wine of tremendous substance and intensity.
As Jane Anson notes, this wine embodies the richness, depths, and layers of cocoa bean, liquorice, and espresso, promising a slow-revealed pleasure over the decades. Jeff Leve, on the other hand, highlights its red, purple, and white floral bouquet, coupled with a silky texture and a vivid quality to the fruit that are truly thrilling.
In the words of Jeb Dunnuck, this wine elevates everything up a notch, with its full-bodied richness, beautiful texture, and a great finish that is both elegant yet powerful. Lastly, The Wine Independent commends the energetic notes of cassis, wild blueberries, and fresh juicy raspberries, framed by firm grainy tannins and bold freshness.
In summary, the 2023 Cos d'Estournel is a masterpiece of winemaking, a wine that embodies the perfect marriage of power and elegance, complexity and harmony, intensity and freshness. This wine is undoubtedly destined to evolve and mature beautifully, promising an enthralling journey of discovery with every sip.