2010 Cos d'Estournel, St. Estèphe

Iconic. Inspirational. Electric. A sensory overload but not in an over-extracted, phony way – just in such a dense, pure and decadent sense. It’s massive but with a rapier-like precision of cool and eucalyptus-fresh Cabernet that takes your breath away. It has a very defined and ridiculously long finish, and I cannot wait to drink this in 15 years or so. A finer more Bordeaux-like perfection than 2009, it is quite humbling actually. Another ‘New First’ for the mere mortals like us. Cos d’Estournel 2010.
(78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot)
(Simon Staples, BBR Fine Wine Director)Cos d'Estournel

For anyone who found the 2009 Cos rather over-­blown, this is reassuringly familiar, more like the 2005 in style. The investments at the château’s cellars seem to be paying off. This has lovely mint and tangerine notes on the nose, backed up by black fruits, hints of chocolate and Asian spices and rich, concentrated tannins. The
greatest young Cos I’ve ever tasted.

Exotic tobacco leaf nose, superb ripe fruit and a violetty lift, more controlled and more classic than 2009, a great wine by Chateau Cos d'Estournel.
(Steven Spurrier – Decanter – Apr 2011)

55% of total production. A real tonic. Very, very deep blackish crimson. Real energy and vitality and racy stuff. Pure, refined perfect Cabernet – pretty rich and alcoholic underneath but much, much drier and more appetising than either the 2009 - or the average Napa Cabernet, for example. Minerals and fruit in a lovely tincture. Such great texture and nobility. Racy thoroughbred Great balance and potential. Purity and energy - but you’ll need to wait so long for it!
(Jancis Robinson MW- jancis robinson.com Apr 2011)

The 2010 is a more structured, restrained, less flamboyant version of the 2009. A final blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that hit 14.5% natural alcohol, this wine (which represents only 55% of the estate's production) is full-bodied, classic and built along the lines of the 2000 (although that wine was made before Reybier acquired the estate and upgraded quality significantly). This wine exhibits beautifully pure notes of creme de cassis, blueberry liqueur, pen ink, graphite and hints of toast and vanillin. The wine is full and rich, and although aged in 80% new oak, the wood is a subtle background component. This beauty will take longer to round into shape than the dramatic and compelling 2009. Forget it for 5-8 years, and drink it over the following three-plus decades. These are two terrific wines from Cos d'Estournel. Proprietor Michel Reybier will have to continue his great success over the next decade without his top lieutenant, Jean-Guillaume Prats, who has taken another job, but the estate seems to be in superlative condition, and at the very top of its game.
(97+ Robert Parker- Wine Advocate- Feb 2013)

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.
(95-97 Robert Parker- Wine Advocate- May 2011)

The 2010 Cos-d'Estournel offers a terrific panoply of dark tea, cocoa, savory herb and red currant confiture aromas. Remarkably dense, with loads of strapping dark fruit and tar in reserve. There's massive structure, yet this is rounded and so, so long. A huge wine in the making. This is going to compete with the elite of the vintage. A truly superb effort. Contains 1 percent Petit Verdot, for first time since 2005.
(James Molesworth – The Wine Spectator – Mar 2011)