Cos d'Estournel 2012 (750ml)

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Price: $229.99

Producer	Cos d'Estournel
Country	France
Region	Bordeaux
Subregion	Saint-Estèphe
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage	2012
Sku	111644
Size	750ml
ABV	13.50%

Cos d'Estournel Description

In the old Gascon language, the word ‘Cos’ means ‘The Hill of Pebbles’. Appropriately named, Château Cos d’Estournel is situated on the banks of the Gironde River between Pauillac and St. Estèphe, where the property is clearly defined by the hill of Cos, reaching to a height of almost 65 feet. It is today owned by Michel Reybier, and continues to be managed by a member of the Prats family under the direction of Jean-Guillaume Prats. This renowned property produced distinguished wines since the early 1800s to the present day.

The 2012 Cos d'Estournel has an IPT of 95, higher than the wonderful 2010. Produced from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the bouquet is somewhat reserved with notes of Asian spice, smoke, coal and slatey, gravelly minerality. The palate is rich and lithe, exotic yet restrained and floral; there is no shortage of crème de cassis fruit. The finish is long, firm and sweet and is wrapped in large scale tannins.

Cos d’Estournel was able to do both and the result is a concentrated and juicy wine.

Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Critical Acclaim

WE94
Wine Enthusiast
This is one of the vintages from Cos that seems to pull out all the stops. The fruit is so rich, the texture so dense, and deep flavors of chocolate back up the huge structure. It does work in its magnificent, flamboyant way. And at the end, the acidity does its part and gives the wine a final lift. Drink from 2024.
JS93
James Suckling
This is very tannic but shows very pretty, intense fruit with blueberry and mineral character. Full and dense. Mineral and dried spices such as cloves under it all. Very muscular.
RP93
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It has a deep garnet-purple color and reveals expressive black cherries, black raspberries and red and black plums scents with subtler notes of cassis, menthol, pencil lead and cigar box plus a touch of lavender. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled, with a rock-solid frame of chewy tannins, it delivers a lively lift on the long finish. This is a lovely wine with slightly chewier tannins and less stuffing than the 2011. Needs 4-5 years.
Rating: 93+
JD93
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2012 from Cos d'Estournel is a streamlined, elegant version of this cuvée that offers first rate notes of crème de cassis, graphite, smoked herbs and saddle leather, with hints of oak pushed into the background. Supple, medium to full-bodied and charming, yet with enough tannin to warrant short term cellaring, give bottles 5-6 years in the cellaring and enjoy over the following two decades.
WS92
Wine Spectator
Juicy raspberry, blackberry and plum confiture notes roll along, while the bramble-edged structure and accents of roasted apple wood and spice fill in. The finish has a lightly firm plum skin edge, but overall there's drive, intensity and depth to the pure fruit. A solid effort. Best from 2017 through 2025.