Tasting Notes
Saint-Estèphe This was a particularly successful year for many producers. Ch Cos d’Estournel, Ch Montrose, Ch Calon-Ségur, Ch Phélan Ségur, Ch Lafon-Rochet and Ch Tronquoy- Lalande were top performers. The wines show very good density and tannin richness. Although possessing only moderate, sometimes lowish alcohols, the structures are amazing. It will be fascinating to watch the development of the wines. Château Cos d’Estournel Score 96–97 Deep crimson. Intense dark chocolate, blackcurrant brambly aromas with inky graphite notes. Superbly concentrated wine with deep-set pure blackcurrant, blackberry confit fruits, fine graphite/ vigorous textures, superb mid-palate density and underlying malty/ spicy oak. Very chocolaty with a leafy tannin plume. Superb fruit definition, complexity and precision. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, 2% petit verdot. 55% new French oak barriques. 12.74% alc Château Montrose Score 96–97 Deep colour. Classic blackcurrant cedar mocha aromas with herb garden/ sage notes. Ample blackberry, cassis, briary fruits, fine dense velvety/chocolaty textures and plentiful cedar roasted chestnut notes. Very pure fruited with superb tannin richness, precision and vigour. Finishes al dente firm and bittersweet with saturated dark berry fruits. Lovely density and complexity – should develop very well. 62% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot, 6% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot. Château Calon-Ségur Score 95–96 Medium-deep crimson. Intense dark berry, blackcurrant elderberry dark chocolate aromas. Blackberry, malt, nutmeg vanilla notes and fine grainy al dente tannins. Finishes firm with bittersweet notes. Very impressive concentration and mineral length – a sleeping beauty. 81% cabernet sauvignon, 11% cabernet franc, 7% merlot, 1% petit verdot. 20 months in 100% new French oak barriques. Les Pagodes de Cos (de Château Cos d’Estournel) Score 95–96 Deep crimson. Dark plum blackcurrant wax polish praline aromas. Generous dark berry/ sweet fruit flavours, fine chocolaty/ velvety textures, attractive mid-palate volume and integrated savoury/ vanilla notes before a bittersweet finish with an inky plume. Superb tannin quality and should last the distance. 25% new French oak barriques. 12.49% alc
72 The Wine Journal – 2023
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