Château Cos d'Estournel 2005

Rating: Barrel Tasting - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 06/30/06

by JS Wine Spectator

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Very dark, inky purple all the way to the edge. Gorgeous spicy clove and pepper aroma over cherry, smoky leather and raspberry. Outstandingly well integrated, rich, juicy super-fine tannins. Ri... Mike Supple. A Bordeaux Blend wine from Bordeaux in France. 2005 Cos d'Estournel 3000ml

from Wine Spectator

While I am not convinced the 2005 Cos d'Estournel will eclipse the compelling 2003 Cos, it is unquestionably another superb classic from proprietor Michel Reybier and his brilliant winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats. Made from an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) and the balance mostly Merlot with a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc, this superb effort requires plenty of time in the bottle. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of licorice, Asian spices, creme de cassis, blackberries, and toasty oak. This full-bodied St.-Estephe is exceptionally read more...powerful, pure, and dense with a layered mid-palate that builds like a skyscraper. While there are massive tannins, they are remarkably velvety and well-integrated in this big, backstrapping effort that should enjoy an unusually long life. Forget it for 8-10 years, and drink it between 2017-2040.    (hide)

from Wine Spectator

It was better than I expected.

by barbarism on 01/07/10

In stock

from Wine Spectator

Robert Parker 98 Points

While I am not convinced the 2005 Cos d'Estournel will eclipse the compelling 2003 Cos, it is unquestionably another superb classic from proprietor Michel Reybier and his brilliant winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats. Made from an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) and the balance mostly Merlot with a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc, this superb effort requires plenty of time in the bottle. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of licorice, Asian spices, creme de cassis, blackberries, and toasty oak. This full-bodied read more...St.-Estephe is exceptionally powerful, pure, and dense with a layered mid-palate that builds like a skyscraper. While there are massive tannins, they are remarkably velvety and well-integrated in this big, backstrapping effort that should enjoy an unusually long life. Forget it for 8-10 years, and drink it between 2017-2040.

Wine Spectator 98 Points

Black in color, with aromas of orange peel, new leather, currant, berry and Christmas pudding. Full-bodied, with layers of velvety tannins and a long, long finish of fruit and spices. The cashmere texture is all there. 2003 plus 2000 equals 2005. Best after 2015. 25,000 cases made. -JS

International Wine Cellar 96 Points

Good ruby-red. Knockout nose combines currant, plum, minerals, licorice and graphite. Wonderfully sweet, rich and deep, but with near-perfect balancing acidity to frame the wine's lush fruit. This superb 2005 has it all. Finishes with noble, sweet tannins and palate-saturating persistence. On my most recent visit, Prats told me he considered 2005 to be superior to the 2003, and that the '05 may be "our best wine ever."    (hide)

by garyswine on 12/02/09

Berry Bros & Rudd review: Cos is polished and rich, with a fantastic acidity that will enable it to age
majestically. Made with 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a wonderful,
dense wine with earthy St Estèphe minerality amidst the incredibly rich
fruit. General Manager Jean-Guillaume Prats thinks that 2005 might be as good
as their legendary 2003 - but we definitely thought it was better. This
fantastic wine is the first serious candidate for wine of the vintage.

(Simon Staples, BBR Fine Wine Director - Apr-2006)

from Wine Spectator

Parker review: Made from an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) and the
balance mostly Merlot with a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc, this superb effort
requires plenty of time in the bottle. It boasts an inky/purple color as well
as a glorious perfume of licorice, Asian spices, creme de cassis, blackberries,
and toasty oak. This full-bodied St.-Estephe is exceptionally powerful, pure,
and dense with a layered mid-palate that builds like a skyscraper. While there
are massive tannins, they are remarkably velvety and well-integrated in read more...this
big, backstrapping effort that should enjoy an unusually long life. Forget it
for 8-10 years, and drink it between 2017-2040.

(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - 30-Apr-2008)    (hide)

from Wine Spectator

In stock limited

from Wine Spectator

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Very dark, inky purple all the way to the edge. Gorgeous spicy clove and pepper aroma over cherry, smoky leather and raspberry. Outstandingly well integrated, rich, juicy super-fine tannins. Ri... Mike Supple. A Bordeaux Blend wine from Bordeaux in France. 2005 Cos d'Estournel 1500ml

from Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator score: 98-100/100

from Wine Spectator

fruity, cassis, berries, super soft velvety tannins, very elegant, complex, multilayered, mouth filling and lingering. Just stunning!!

• Tags:
• elegant, cassis, complex, stunning

by Franz Schneider on 07/30/09

If you add together all the tastes different reviews compare this wine to, you would have the world's worst salad...

"spicy clove and pepper aroma over cherry, smoky leather and raspberry"

"currant, plum, minerals, licorice and graphite"

"orange peel, new leather, currant, berry and Christmas pudding"

"licorice, Asian spices, creme de cassis, blackberries, and toasty oak."

by contram on 06/22/09

Berry Bros & Rudd review: (Wines of the Year - Decanter Award 5/5 Stars- Decanter Dec 08)Cos is polished and rich, with a fantastic acidity that will enable it to agemajestically. Made with 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a wonderful,dense wine with earthy St Estèphe minerality amidst the incredibly richfruit. General Manager Jean-Guillaume Prats thinks that 2005 might be as goodas their legendary 2003 - but we definitely thought it was better. Thisfantastic wine is the first serious candidate for wine of the vintage.(Simon Staples, BBR Fine Wine Director)

from Wine Spectator

Jancis score: 17.5/20

from Wine Spectator

Berry Bros & Rudd score: 18/20

from Wine Spectator

Decanter review: Firm and confident with realms of ripe fruit cloaked in classy toasted oak. Aburst of ripe fruit on entry. Exciting.(4/5 Stars - Medoc 2005 - Decanter Award Winner - July 08)

from Wine Spectator

Berry Bros & Rudd score: 19/20

from Wine Spectator

Parker score: 98/100

from Wine Spectator

Massive, massive wine-- strong tannins, cedar box, smoky ethereal quality, good dark fruit flavors. This bottle will be worth at least double its retail value when it peaks.

by The Red Grape on 05/19/09

Stephen Tanzer: 96 Good ruby-red. Knockout nose combines currant, plum, minerals, licorice and graphite. Wonderfully sweet, rich and deep, but with near-perfect balancing acidity to frame the wine's lush fruit. This superb 2005 has it all. Finishes with noble, sweet tannins and palate-saturating persistence. On my most recent visit, Prats told me he considered 2005 to be superior to the2003, and that the '05 may be our best wine ever..vocate: 94 points

from Wine Spectator

#28 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2008 Black in color, with aromas of orange peel, new leather, currant, berry and Christmas pudding. Full-bodied, with layers of velvety tannins and a long, long finish of fruit and spices. The cashmere texture is all there. 2003 plus 2000 equals 2005. 98 Points -Wine Spectator While I am not convinced the 2005 Cos d'Estournel will eclipse the compelling 2003 Cos, it is unquestionably another superb classic from proprietor Michel Reybier and his brilliant winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats. Made from an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) read more...and the balance mostly Merlot with a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc, this superb effort requires plenty of time in the bottle. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of licorice, Asian spices, creme de cassis, blackberries, and toasty oak. This full-bodied St.-Estephe is exceptionally powerful, pure, and dense with a layered mid-palate that builds like a skyscraper. While there are massive tannins, they are remarkably velvety and well-integrated in this big, backstrapping effort that should enjoy an unusually long life. Forget it for 8-10 years, and drink it between 2017-2040. 98 Points -Wine Advocate    (hide)

from Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator rating: 98

from Wine.com

Black in color, with aromas of orange peel, new leather, currant, berry and Christmas pudding. Full-bodied, with layers of velvety tannins and a long, long finish of fruit and spices. The cashmere texture is all there. 2003 plus 2000 equals 2005. -Wine Spectator While I am not convinced the 2005 Cos d'Estournel will eclipse the compelling 2003 Cos, it is unquestionably another superb classic from proprietor Michel Reybier and his brilliant winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats. Made from an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) and the balance mostly Merlot with a tiny dollop read more...of Cabernet Franc, this superb effort requires plenty of time in the bottle. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of licorice, Asian spices, creme de cassis, blackberries, and toasty oak. This full-bodied St.-Estephe is exceptionally powerful, pure, and dense with a layered mid-palate that builds like a skyscraper. While there are massive tannins, they are remarkably velvety and well-integrated in this big, backstrapping effort that should enjoy an unusually long life. Forget it for 8-10 years, and drink it between 2017-2040. -Wine Advocate    (hide)

by Wine.com

The Wine Advocate rating: 98

from Wine.com

Rating: 95/100 - As reviewed by Wine & Spirits Magazine on 10/08

by Wine & Spirits Magazine

No written review

by magikman44 on 05/11/08

No written review

by fiddlehead on 02/04/08