BORDEAUX 2011: And They're Off...

Cos d'Estournel label

Bordeaux 2011 is underway and we are pleased to make our first en primeur offerings including the super second Cos d'Estournel.

 

Comparable in quality to 2001 and 2008, 2011 is a vintage with peaks and troughs described by many as a 'winemaker's vintage'.  We will shortly be posting our round up of the 2011 vintage with all the thoughts from some of the leading critics.  To place an order please email sales@albanyvintners.com with the quantities you would like or click through on the wine name to place an online order. 

 

Cos d'Estournel£1200 per case. A famed Second Growth and the leading estate in Saint Estephe, superbly situated adjacent to Lafite on the bend between Saint Estephe and Pauillac. Cos d'Estournel is a property that is constantly measuring itself against the First Growths in an effort to push quality even further, and with the vision of Jean-Guillaume Prats, Cos has achieved new heights with a superb run of vintages since 2001.

 

92-94 Albany Vintners.  The 2011, made up of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, displays a nose of wild dark fruits, hints of mocha and ripe blackcurrants. Very structured palate with lots of freshness. Good length and a grippy finish. Only 9000 cases were produced this year due to the hailstorms that hit St Estephe and the severe selection made.    

18 from Decanter: "Rich blackcurrant fruit, slightly exotic Cos spiciness, structured smoothness and lovely elegant length?".

  

Pagodes de Cos - £320 per case.   The second wine of Cos d'Estournel, this year 70 % of the production at Cos went into Pagodes making it the largest ever production. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. It has a rich brooding nose, medium structure and good ripe fruits. Some medicinal notes with plump soft tannins.  

17 from Julia Harding MW: "Intense cherry red. Spicy dark cherry. Then sweet dark cherry on the palate. Dry and bright too. Supple, lithe but full tannins. Cool fresh elegant, classical finish?".

 

Goulee by Cos d'Estournel - £165 per case. Made by the team at Cos d'Estournel from vines in the far north of the Medoc. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Rich, ripe nose and with a thick texture and soft, ripe tannins.  

87-90 from the Wine Spectator: "Very pure, almost sweet, with a creamy edge and gorgeous cherry pie, lightly toasted vanilla and creamed plum notes?".

 

Gazin£450 per case.   Chateau Gazin is located on the renowned plateau of Pomerol in a single plot, bordering Chateaux Petrus and Evangile.  Manager Nicolas de Baillencourt has stated a desire 'to become the Leoville Barton of the right bank', offering traditionally-styled, powerful yet elegant Pomerol at a fair price.  

89-92 from the Wine Spectator: "Still quite primal, with fleshy plum skin, warm raspberry confiture and dark roasted woodspice notes still wrestling a bit with each other...will need to develop some finesse during the élevage for balance?".

 

For details on all of the 2011 wines together with scores and reviews from the leading critics please visit the en primeur section of the website.  More scores and reviews will be added as and when they are published

 


 

All wines offered en primeur; available in the UK Spring/Summer 2014.  Prices include shipment from Bordeaux warehouse to the UK.  Offer subject to remaining unsold.  E&OE.

 

> For enquiries and orders, please email us.