Cos d'Estournel - Saint-Estèphe 2005

Vinous

97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe11/15/2015

I have been fortunate to taste the 2005 Cos d'Estournel three times in recent weeks and it has never been anything less than stunningly beautiful, as it is once again on this night. The interplay of dark, ripe fruit and the more mineral, savory-inflected nuances typical of Saint-Estèphe yield a compelling, wonderfully complete Bordeaux that simply has it all. An exotic mélange of graphite, gravel, smoke, cured meats and dark-fleshed fruits flow through to the explosive finish. Riveting today, the 2005 Cos will continue to thrill those fortunate enough to own it for several decades. Given its price vis-à-vis many of the high-flying wines of the year, the 2005 Cos remains a terrific relative value in its class.
Drink 2015-2040.

Jancis Robinson

18,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/28/2015

Very dark blackish crimson. Great vivacity and tension. Really long and packed full of both minerals and fruit. This is a real star! It positively throbs. One of the great successes of the vintage. 13.5% Drink 2020-2050

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/28/2015

The Château Cos d’Estournel2005 has a more opulent and riper bouquet compared to the Montrose ’05 with blackberry, Morellocherries, dried orange peel and then with further aeration, sage and leather notes combining beautifully together. This is quintessential Cos d’Estournel, one that has meliorated in the last couple of years.. The palate is full-bodied with very fine tannin, a little easier-going than Montrose but that detracts nothing from the freshness and energy in this Saint Estèphe.

Jancis Robinson

18,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

Very dark blackish crimson. Great vivacity and tension. Really long and packed full of both minerals and fruit. This is a real star! It positively throbs. One of the great successes of the vintage.

13.5% Drink 2020-2050

La Revue du Vin de France

17,5 / 20

the10/20/2014

Cos livre en 2005 un vin très massif, dense et concentré. Sa définition est remarquable, avec une grande précision dans le dessin du fruit. Son immense structure tannique aura encore besoin de quelques années pour se fondre, mais le potentiel est là.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/15/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This has a very deep, broody nose with immense concentration but it is tightly wound. Blackberry, boysenberry, minerals with a touch of rose petals – it is certainly less opulent than last year. The palate has immense concentration, powerful black fruit, perfect acidity, great sense of symmetry and focus. Real poise and controlled power. Builds and builds in the glass. Slight meatiness on the finish that just takes its foot off the accelerator. A majestic Cos d’Estournel, of that there is no doubt. Drink 2018-2030+ Tasted January 2009.

Wine Enthusiast

97 / 100

the12/4/2008

Saint-Estèphe has a reputation for tannins, and this 2005 Cos lives up to that. But it does much more, because the tannins add richness along with intensely ripe black fruits, dark plums and figs. The dense tannins are finely balanced with fresh acidity and a long-lasting aftertaste. Impressive.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

96 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Good ruby-red. Knockout nose combines currant, plum, minerals, licorice and graphite. Wonderfully sweet, rich and deep, but with near-perfect balancing acidity to frame the wine's lush fruit. This superb 2005 has it all. Finishes with noble, sweet tannins and palate-saturating persistence. On my most recent visit, Prats told me he considered 2005 to be superior to the 2003, and that the '05 may be "our best wine ever."

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

While I am not convinced the 2005 Cos d’Estournel will eclipse the compelling 2003 Cos, it is unquestionably another superb classic from proprietor Michel Reybier and his brilliant winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats. Made from an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) and the balance mostly Merlot with a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc, this superb effort requires plenty of time in the bottle. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of licorice, Asian spices, creme de cassis, blackberries, and toasty oak. This full-bodied St.-Estephe is exceptionally powerful, pure, and dense with a layered mid-palate that builds like a skyscraper. While there are massive tannins, they are remarkably velvety and well-integrated in this big, backstrapping effort that should enjoy an unusually long life. Forget it for 8-10 years, and drink it between 2017-2040.

Wine Spectator

98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/5/2008

Black in color, with aromas of orange peel, new leather, currant, berry and Christmas pudding. Full-bodied, with layers of velvety tannins and a long finish of fruit and spices. 2003 plus 2000 equals 2005. Best after 2015.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/4/2007

A classic in the making, the 2005 Cos has become even more backward and structured, making it one of the most inaccessible examples of this wine made in the last twenty years. There is an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) blended with 19% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine boasts a dense purple color along with a gorgeous bouquet of creme de cassis intermixed with licorice, pain grille, spice, and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, powerful, rich, and dense, with a sweet middle as well as huge tannins in the finish, it will be approachable in 8-10 years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035+.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

93-96 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2006

(78% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot and 3% cabernet franc; 13.8% alcohol; 3.71 pH) Deep ruby-red. Lovely floral lift to the blackberry aroma, with the new oak barely making an appearance yet. Lush and sweet, with real verve to the penetrating black fruit, camphor and chocolate flavors. Boasts superb finesse and freshness; really dances on the palate. Finishes juicy and very long, with terrific grip and some youthful austerity. But the substantial tannins (the IPT, or indice de polyphenols totaux) is a rather high 80) are thoroughly suave. Likely to be a classic, long-lived vintage for this wine. A great showing today.

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/27/2006

The 2005 Cos d’Estournel is made from an unusual blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot was picked during the last nine days of September, and the Cabernets were finished by the 9th of October. The 2005's 13.85% alcohol is the highest this estate has ever achieved. The implementation of such Burgundian winemaking techniques as malolactic in barrel and aging on its lees are resulting in wines of extraordinary texture as well as elegance. The 2003 may be more opulent, and for my taste a more compelling wine, but the 2005 is at the same level. Made from yields of 40 hectoliters per hectare, it exhibits an inky/purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of sweet red and black fruits, camphor, cedar, and pain grille. Extraordinarily well-defined, nuanced, and powerful, with high tannin as well as magnificent texture and richness, this classic offering will be uncommonly long-lived. It will not be close to drinkability for another 5-7 years, and should last for 30 or more. A fabulous wine!

Wine Spectator

95-100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/28/2006

Wonderful purity on the nose, with currants, berries and minerals. Spicy. Virginal Cabernet Sauvignon. Full-bodied, with very, very racy tannins that develop wonderfully on the palate. Expands on the palate. Cashmerelike texture. Goes on and on. Is it better than the 2003? —J.S.