Cos d'Estournel 2004

St Estephe, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes
Like so many 2004s, this is so wonderfully drinkable now with spice, chocolate and Asian mushroom character. Hints of curry too. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a lightly chewy finish. I like the fruit and austerity to this. Drink or hold. Score: 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 22 September 2015
This is another example of the wonderful 2004 vintage for Bordeaux. They are so delicious to drink now. The Cos is one of the best out there. And very reasonably priced at less than $150 a bottle. The charcuterie that hits you as soon as you open this Bordeaux is overwhelming: It's smoky, spicy and sexy. Minutes later you realize the complexity on offer, catching just a scent of the dark fruits hidden beneath, and before those, long and wonderful hints of balsamic vinegar. On the palate this shows elegance and finesse thanks to fabulous balance, extremely integrated tannins and a long and glorious finish. This is so satisfying and wonderful now, but the slightly bitter aftertaste on the rear palate suggests this could do with at least another 10 years before opening. Score: 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2014+ 01 August 2014
Loads of currant and blackberry, with hints of Indian spices. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Round and generous for the vintage. Score: 94 James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2011+ 31 March 2007
Very deep crimson. Succulent modern ripeness on the nose. Almost chocolatey. This should give a great deal of pleasure to modernists, but the inky finish is a little bit of a worry. Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2017 28 July 2009
This Cos d’Estournel has great potential. The nose has certainly closed down since I last tasted it at en primeur, less floral and more tertiary with a surly broody quality. Cedar and a hint of dark chocolate coming through with aeration, roasted herbs. Very well defined. The full-bodied palate is very tannic structure with a solidity that suggests extended cellaring is mandatory. This Cos d’Estournel is powerful and masculine, yet with wonderful freshness and vitality and a slight savoury tang evolving with further aeration on the persistent finish. Drink 2018-2035+ Tasted November 2008. Score: 94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2035+ 01 March 2009
A beautiful example of the vintage, proprietor Michel Reybier and his top-notch winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats, have fashioned an exceptional wine displaying a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of boysenberries, black currants, cherries, pain grille, roasted herbs, and licorice. Medium-bodied with impressive density for the vintage, sweet tannin, and outstanding richness and length, it should be at its finest between 2009 and 2020+. Score: 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2020 01 June 2007
The elegant, dense ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Cos d’Estournel offers classic aromas of licorice, smoke, creme de cassis, Asian spices, and a hint of incense. Medium-bodied, restrained, rich, and well-balanced, this spicy wine requires 2-3 years of bottle age. It should drink well for 15+ years. Score: 90 - 93 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2021 01 June 2006
Under the brilliant management of young Jean-Guillaume Prats, Cos d’Estournel has been going from strength to strength. An atypically powerful wine (13.6% alcohol), the 2004 is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. It is rare to find such a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in a Cos, and the estate tends to look at this vintage as a modern day version of 1986. The harvest occurred between September 27 and October 10. The pure, precise, inky/ruby/purple-tinged 2004 offers up classic Cabernet aromas of sweet black currants intermixed with licorice, cigar tobacco, and smoky wood. Possessing crisp acidity, ripe tannin, and a medium to full-bodied, layered, textured feel, this impressive effort combines power with elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020. Score: 92 - 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2020 30 April 2005
Deep red-ruby. Aromas of cassis, plum, licorice and coconutty oak. Round, suave and ripe, with lovely depth of flavor and a pliant, full texture for the year. This doesn't have quite the thrust of the 2006, but it's lively and fresh, and finishes ripely tannic and long. Score: 91 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2007

Tasting Notes

Like so many 2004s, this is so wonderfully drinkable now with spice, chocolate and Asian mushroom character. Hints of curry too. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a lightly chewy finish. I like the fruit and austerity to this. Drink or hold.

Score: 94

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 22 September 2015

This is another example of the wonderful 2004 vintage for Bordeaux. They are so delicious to drink now. The Cos is one of the best out there. And very reasonably priced at less than $150 a bottle. The charcuterie that hits you as soon as you open this Bordeaux is overwhelming: It's smoky, spicy and sexy. Minutes later you realize the complexity on offer, catching just a scent of the dark fruits hidden beneath, and before those, long and wonderful hints of balsamic vinegar. On the palate this shows elegance and finesse thanks to fabulous balance, extremely integrated tannins and a long and glorious finish. This is so satisfying and wonderful now, but the slightly bitter aftertaste on the rear palate suggests this could do with at least another 10 years before opening.

Score: 95

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2014+ 01 August 2014

Loads of currant and blackberry, with hints of Indian spices. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Round and generous for the vintage.

Score: 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2011+ 31 March 2007

Very deep crimson. Succulent modern ripeness on the nose. Almost chocolatey. This should give a great deal of pleasure to modernists, but the inky finish is a little bit of a worry.

Score: 16 - 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2017 28 July 2009

This Cos d’Estournel has great potential. The nose has certainly closed down since I last tasted it at en primeur, less floral and more tertiary with a surly broody quality. Cedar and a hint of dark chocolate coming through with aeration, roasted herbs. Very well defined. The full-bodied palate is very tannic structure with a solidity that suggests extended cellaring is mandatory. This Cos d’Estournel is powerful and masculine, yet with wonderful freshness and vitality and a slight savoury tang evolving with further aeration on the persistent finish. Drink 2018-2035+ Tasted November 2008.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2035+ 01 March 2009

A beautiful example of the vintage, proprietor Michel Reybier and his top-notch winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats, have fashioned an exceptional wine displaying a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of boysenberries, black currants, cherries, pain grille, roasted herbs, and licorice. Medium-bodied with impressive density for the vintage, sweet tannin, and outstanding richness and length, it should be at its finest between 2009 and 2020+.

Score: 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2020 01 June 2007

The elegant, dense ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Cos d’Estournel offers classic aromas of licorice, smoke, creme de cassis, Asian spices, and a hint of incense. Medium-bodied, restrained, rich, and well-balanced, this spicy wine requires 2-3 years of bottle age. It should drink well for 15+ years.

Score: 90 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2021 01 June 2006

Under the brilliant management of young Jean-Guillaume Prats, Cos d’Estournel has been going from strength to strength. An atypically powerful wine (13.6% alcohol), the 2004 is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. It is rare to find such a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in a Cos, and the estate tends to look at this vintage as a modern day version of 1986. The harvest occurred between September 27 and October 10. The pure, precise, inky/ruby/purple-tinged 2004 offers up classic Cabernet aromas of sweet black currants intermixed with licorice, cigar tobacco, and smoky wood. Possessing crisp acidity, ripe tannin, and a medium to full-bodied, layered, textured feel, this impressive effort combines power with elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2020 30 April 2005

Deep red-ruby. Aromas of cassis, plum, licorice and coconutty oak. Round, suave and ripe, with lovely depth of flavor and a pliant, full texture for the year. This doesn't have quite the thrust of the 2006, but it's lively and fresh, and finishes ripely tannic and long.

Score: 91

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2007

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