Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Estèphe
WS 90
This wine thoroughly impressed us for the second straight year. Long and intense flavors of blackberry and blueberry fruit lead to a suave and complex finish. Finely balanced, well done!
-- CW Wine Staff (April 2011)
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Estèphe
WS 90
WA 90
"This vineyard, owned by Didier Cuvelier, the proprietor of Leoville-Poyferre, is finally coming to life. A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, the 2010 achieved 14% natural alcohol. It exhibits a dense purple color followed by notes of roasted herbs, licorice, fruitcake and black currants. Medium to full-bodied and rich with moderate tannins as well as the distinctive earthy character that often comes from St.-Estephe, this broad, savory effort should drink well for 15+ years."
(Sleeper of the Vintage and one of the Vintage's Top Performers) Read More
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Estèphe
WS 90
WA 92
St. Estephe seems to perform better in dry years but Basile Tesseron has really outdone himself this year! Tightly-wound and incredibly concentrated flavors of black fruits and lightly-spiced oak are framed by powerful, fine-grained tannins and high acidity. This is really what the vintage is about: great balance and elegance, turned up another notch.
-- CW Wine Staff (April 2011)
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Estèphe
WS 96
WE 95
WA 97
Representing 55% of the production and cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, Cos d?Estournel's final blend in 2010 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and the rest tiny portions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Compared to the massive 2009 (14.6% natural alcohol), the 2010 achieved slightly less alcohol, but also a lower pH, which accounts for its more tannic, backward, huge style. An inky/purple color is accompanied by aromas of damp earth, black currants, blackberries, licorice and charcoal. Firm, thick and super-concentrated, it is another outrageously impressive wine that will require 6-10 years of cellaring. It should keep for 30+ years. It is somewhat 2005-ish in its structure and palate impression.Representing 55% of the production and cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, Cos d?Estournel's final blend in 2010 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and the rest tiny portions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Compared to the massive 2009 (14.6% natural alcohol), the 2010 achieved slightly less alcohol, but also a lower pH, which accounts for its more tannic, backward, huge style. An inky/purple color is accompanied by aromas of damp earth, black currants, blackberries, licorice and charcoal. Firm, thick and super-concentrated, it is another outrageously impressive wine that will require 6-10 years of cellaring. It should keep for 30+ years. It is somewhat 2005-ish in its structure and palate impression. -- Robert Parker Read More