The finesse is pretty phenomenal here, with such complexity of fruit and vivid, bright flowers. Lavender and rose. Seductive. Ever-so long and precise. Lead pencil and graphite. Reminiscent of old, great Cos, such as 1955 or 1982, but with so much more form and modernity. A renaissance of Cos. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot, 1% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.

The 2023 Cos d’Estournel is fabulous. Dark resonant and inviting the 2023 has so much to offer. All the elements are beautifully woven together. Black cherry plum licorice espresso mocha and incense fill out the layers. Readers will find a Cos endowed with tremendous substance and intensity. I can't remember a young Cos with this much fruit concentration yet there is nothing overdone here. I loved it.

A contemporary classic in the making the 2023 Cos d'Estournel has turned out beautifully reflecting a lighter touch with extraction that has delivered more sensuality and harmony without the loss of any of the estate's signature power and authority. Wafting from the glass with deep aromas of cassis wild berries orange zest and exotic spices framed by well-integrated new wood it's medium to full-bodied deep and layered with a concentrated core of fruit beautifully suave tannins and a cool seamless profile. It's a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon 33% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that attained 12.9% alcohol and is being matured in 50% new oak.

The 2023 Cos d'Estournel picked from September 12 to 29 and matured in 50% new oak blossoms in the glass. The aromatics deliver nearly immediate gratification: black cherries wild strawberries crushed violet petals and vanilla pod. It’s all quite sumptuous but very well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled slightly powdery tannins. It’s beautifully balanced with a very pure and seductive finish. This is a notably composed and assured Cos d'Estournel almost a lesson in how less can be more. It’s only a couple of steps behind the previous vintage.