Cos d'Estournel has managed to acquire a good reputation, or let's say a notorious reputation with its wines from Medoc within the past few years. With Jean-Guillaume Prats in charge of the winery, all prices tripled until 2009. Its 2007 vintage went up to 65 euro per bottle and then went up to 198 euro by 2010.
According to experts in Bordeaux, Cos d'Estournel does not seem to have enough and it will raise prices even further. Customers who insist on purchasing Cos wines should focus on the more inexpensive vintages like 2001, 2004 or 2008. The latter can be purchased for around 75 euro per bottle. In comparison: the 2009 vintage costs about 197 euro and the 2010 wine 167 euro per bottle.
How about 2011? Both the vineyards of Cos d'Estournel and its neighbor St. Estephe suffered from the strong hail in early September, which is why a thorough and consequent selection was key. Utlimately, only 30 percent of the total harvest ended up in the cellar. Total results in volum in 2011 were 108,000 compared to 252,000 in 2009.
Nonetheless, wine critics are still very happy with Cos d'Estournel 2011 vintage. Steven Spurrier with the Decanter awarded the wine 18 points and praised its strong black berries, exotic spice, body structure as well as its elegant finish.
Testers with Berry Bros. and Rodd as well as those with Far Vintners all agreed: "Excellent! Their careful selection has brought their wines a full body and character. The wine has plenty of black fruit aroma, a good consistency and a nice balance of tannines. The Cru is definitely a modern version of the 1996 vintage - just much better."
Fine & Rare testers, however, were not that excited. "The 2011 was a great selection and has a very fresh scent. It is concentrated pretty well, but it cannot keep up with the 2009 vintage. Its lack of strength is made up for by its charme and easiness. This wine is missing something, but it's of good quality." (red.yoopress)
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