Cos d'Estournel - Saint-Estèphe 2015

Vinous

94-94

byNeal Martinthe2/28/2025

The 2015 Cos d’Estournel is a little recalcitrant and broody on the nose, like it always has been from bottle, unfolding gradually with enticing, quite intense blackberry, pencil box and subtle tobacco scents. The medium-bodied palate immediately impresses by its volume and depth, the new oak neatly embroidered with layers of tightly coiled tobacco and graphite infused fruit whose veins of earthiness betray its origins. Whilst it does not quite deliver the flair and untrammeled ambition of the 2016, this is a very impressive forerunner. Wise owls will afford it a decade bottle age before reaching for the corkscrew. Tasted at the Cos d’Estournel vertical in London.

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe7/10/2019

The 2015 Cos d'Estournel has a broody bouquet of black rather than red fruit, melted tar and smoke developing in the glass, quite strict but penetrating. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, fresh and lithe in the mouth, supple with blackberry and dark cherries, a touch of vanilla emanating from some oak that still needs to be subsumed. Superb, even if it is destined to lie in the shadow of the following vintage. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Wine Advocate

95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cos d'Estournel is muted at this very young stage. The nose offers fleeting glimpses at provocative cherry tart, chocolate mint, baked redcurrants, warm cassis and wild blueberry scents plus suggestions of lilacs, cinnamon stick and Indian spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate absolutely explodes with vibrant red and black fruit bursts and tons of exotic spice accents, framed by super ripe, super firm tannins and a lovely line of freshness, finishing very long. 95+

Wine Advocate

94

byNeal Martinthe3/2/2018

 The 2015 Cos d'Estournel is backward and broody on the nose, just like the Pagodes de Cos, but it unfurls nicely in the glass to reveal intense blackberry, graphite and light tobacco aromas. The oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive depth, well-judged acidity and plenty of tobacco-infused black fruit. I appreciate that this embraces the character of Saint-Estèphe with that earthy, almost ferrous finish coming through on the grippy finish. Yes, there remains a slight sense of conservatism toward the finish and granted, it is predestined to be overshadowed by the exemplary 2016. Yet this is a fine Cos d’Estournel that should give 20 to 25 years of drinking pleasure. Anticipated maturity: 2020 - 2040. 

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe2/27/2018

Easily one of the most successful wine in Saint Estèphe in 2015, Cos d'Estournel is just gorgeous. Elements of exoticism appear on the bouquet, followed by generous black cherry, smoke, leather, licorice, menthol and mocha. Naturally, it will be many years before the 2015 is ready to offer a truly complete drinking experience, but it is superb even in the early going. The 2015 was bottled in July 2017.

Wine Advocate

95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe2/22/2018

The 2015 Cos d'Estournel is composed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it offers up black currants, spice cake, warm cherries and plum preserves with touches of chargrill and forest floor. Medium-bodied and very firm with ripe, grainy tannins, it has a good core of earthy fruit, finishing with loads of layers and freshness.

Wine Spectator

92

byJames Molesworththe2/15/2018

This has a gently steeped core of currant, plum and black cherry fruit, infused with black tea, singed juniper and smoldering tobacco notes. The vintage's overt austerity is less evident here, with a gloss of alluring toast adding polish to the finish. A strong effort. Best from 2020 through 2032. 15,000 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

98

byJames Sucklingthe2/12/2018

Super aromas of nutmeg, cloves and dried flowers with plums and blackberries. Subtle yet so complex. Full-bodied, tight and integrated with ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Lasts for minutes. Very, very Cos. Harmony. Texturally marvellous. Drink in 2024.

Decanter.com

94

byJane Ansonthe1/26/2018

There's real depth to the fruit here. with good texture and rich, silky, fine-grained tannins. It is fresh and vivacious, although a touch of heat on the finish closes things off more rapidly than you might like. It's still not showing the depth of the 2016 wine, but it's a very lovely wine and for me hugely improved with age. It has a lot of personality and charm, and it would be hard not to be happy to have a case in your cellar. The grand vin represents only 39% of the estate's production in this vintage, suggesting extremely careful selection, and it has paid off.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-96

byJeff Levethe4/30/2016

With fine intensity of color, this wine leans to the elegant, fresh side of the style range, a thrill for those tasters who think Cos has gone too far on the ripe side. (I'm not one of those people) Soft and lush with salty tannins and supple, round textures, blackberry, dark chocolate and espresso heighten the smooth, refined finish. The key to this year's successful vintage was in the selection. Only the oldest vines, vines dating back at least 55 years, were used in the process and only 39% of the harvest was placed in the Grand Vin. Produced from a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc, this wine reached 13.4% alcohol with a pH of 3.77 and is now aging in 80% new, French oak barrels.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2016

The 2015 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc that was picked between 17 September and 5 October at 44 hl/ha. It is being matured in 65% new oak, less than in recent years due to the tannin (IPT is 71). Deeper in color than the 2015 Pagodes, it has a very pure bouquet with tightly knitted blackberry, blueberry and violet scents, perhaps just a little Margaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well-judged acidity and harmonious in the mouth. What it does not quite deliver is the complexity of a top-tier Cos d'Estournel or the peacock's tail of flavors on the finish, which feels linear and conservative compared to its peers in more southerly appellations. You feel as if the vintage put a tight leash on this Saint Estèphe grandee. There is pedigree in this Grand Vin for sure and it is bound to give up to 20 years of pleasure.

Decanter.com

95

bySteven Spurrierthe4/27/2016

Rich fruit that is full of that classic exotic Cos spice, yet more restrained than in the past with a slatey graphite base. Beautifully put together; an exciting wine that will grow in complexity and flavour. 2023-2040

Vinous

92-95

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

A wine of cool sophistication and polish, the 2015 Cos d'Estournel is endowed with striking length and overall balance. Silky tannins support a core of graphite, smoke, licorice, incense, tar and dark spice. The 2015 is perhaps not as aromatically nuanced or expressive as in the very best years (although that may develop in time), but it offers terrific persistence through to the finish. Finesse and nuance are the key signatures in the 2015 Cos. Only 39% of the crop went into the Grand Vin, as opposed to the more typical 50% or so.

Jancis Robinson

18,5

byJancis Robinsonthe4/26/2016

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc. IPT 71. 65% new oak. Extremely dark crimson. Lovely spice and breadth. Hint of tobacco leaf with lots of ripe fruit. Very comfortable. A lovely pair of slippers. Real tension and ripeness - great combo. Nothing forced. Ethereal and builds towards the end. Certainly has the graphite ingredient.  13.4% Drink 2024-2040

timatkin.com

93

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

Wine Enthusiast

95-97

byRoger Vossthe4/15/2016

Barrel Sample. Ripe, dusty tannins give a dry edge to the full, rich fruits. It has a structure that comes out of old Cabernet vines that form the core of this wine. Dark, full and with considerable concentration, the wine is dense and will need many years to develop. 96 points

Jamessuckling.com

97-98

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2016

This shows what great selection did in the northern Mêdoc. Big surprise. Really excellent. Full body, chewy and rich tannins and loads of ripe fruit. Black currants, blue berries. It has hot and ripe tannins yet cool fruit.