PV Tasting Notes
There are a few wines of 2006 Bordeaux classifications which are improving in bottle, and they are as one would expect the usual suspects. The 2006 Cos d’Estournel is one of those, deep ruby in colour with an explosive nose of black raspberry, smoked game, black olive, gun flint and cigar tobacco, the palate is equally complex, with earthy fruit driven flavours countered by menthol and mineral tones. The tannins are still a little firm and dust the front teeth, but they are highly polished, my feeling is this is a great wine for the long haul and has not yet revealed its full potential. I would suggest keeping this in the cellar for another decade, by then it should garner another few points and be highly sought after, at today’s price, this represents a serious bargain. Tasted Mar 2010
Independent Review94 points Robert Parker The Wine Advocate Feb 2009
The exceptional 2006 Cos d’Estournel is composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, 55% of the production was utilized. Revealing superb intensity for a 2006 as well as an inky/blue/purple color, and a sweet bouquet of blue and black fruits, licorice, graphite, and charcoal, this full-bodied 2006 possesses high levels of sweet tannin. This wine is characterized by a freshness and precision that give it a 1996-like affinity. Enjoy this beautifully concentrated, exceptionally pure, statuesque Cos d’Estournel over the next 20-25 years. By the way, it was bottled without any fining or filtration.
93 points Steve Tanzer International Wine Cellar May 2009
Good deep ruby-red. Expressive aromas of dark raspberry, smoked meat, black olive, iron, smoke and tobacco. Lush, broad and sweet, with a deep smoky, meaty sweetness and outstanding palate coverage. For all its breadth and silkiness, there's no shortage of energy and definition. Finishes impressively long, with chewy, sweet tannins that dust the front teeth. 93 points
93 points James Suckling - Wine Spectator Mar 2009
Blackberry, black licorice and violet aromas follow through to a full body, with soft, silky tannins and a pretty, balanced finish. Refined and flavorful.
Chateau Cos d’Estournel is located right across the vineyard road from Chateau Lafite inside the border of Saint Estephe. Classified in 1855 as a Second Growth, this has always been regarded as one of the greatest houses and currently regarded as a “super second” or modern day First Growth. According to legend, the name Cos was given by the Templar Knights returning from the crusades and the islands of Rhodes and its neighbouring Island Cos, possibly as a phonetic distortion of the word caux which appears on one of the first maps of the region. The vineyards rise high above Pauillac, and the chateau dominates the landscape, this is a strange but charming Chinese Gothic Fantasy totally unique in the Medoc, there is also the main door which was once owned by the sultan of Zanzibar. The vines cover 60 hectares.