TN: '82 and '86 Cos d'Estournel
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 5:07 pm
Cos has long been one of my favorite Bordeaux. (Per my moniker - I love Haut Brion too, but given its price, I haven't had nearly as much of it as Cos.)
Last night, for a special dinner with friends, I broke out my last bottle of the '82 Cos and one of my last of the '86, and it was quite an experience.
Both wines were simply gorgeous - fully mature, balanced, deep and with excellent mouthfeel.
I pulled the corks about 6 hours before serving, and at that point the '86 had a much bigger bouquet than the '82, so I didn't know what to expect. We double decanted 1 to 1 1/2 hours before serving, and the aeration seemed to help both of them.
I am always concerned that when I serve two or more excellent bottles side-by-side, one or more will suffer by comparison, but this didn't happen last night. Both wines were in their glory.
I have had the '86 a number of times, but this was its best showing yet. The bouquet was seductive, suggesting beautfully ripe plum and cassis. The flavors were consistent; the slight astringency which was still showing in my previous bottle a few years ago was now resolved. It was full-bodied, a little velvety, and had a lovely, soft-but-lingering finish.
I cannot remember the last time I had the '82, but I have been eyeing this last bottle in my cellar for some time and it did not disappoint. The nose opened up after the double decant, showing similar notes to the '86, but perhaps just a little more subdued. In the mouth, the wine was glorious - everything that one hopes for when opening an old Bordeaux. Still deep red, with some bricking at the rim. A near-perfect Cos, so elegant, balanced and, for lack of a better term, simply delicious! The fruit had not dried out, there was no unresolved tannin, the flavors and texture were fantastic. I wish I had more of this in my cellar.
Last night, for a special dinner with friends, I broke out my last bottle of the '82 Cos and one of my last of the '86, and it was quite an experience.
Both wines were simply gorgeous - fully mature, balanced, deep and with excellent mouthfeel.
I pulled the corks about 6 hours before serving, and at that point the '86 had a much bigger bouquet than the '82, so I didn't know what to expect. We double decanted 1 to 1 1/2 hours before serving, and the aeration seemed to help both of them.
I am always concerned that when I serve two or more excellent bottles side-by-side, one or more will suffer by comparison, but this didn't happen last night. Both wines were in their glory.
I have had the '86 a number of times, but this was its best showing yet. The bouquet was seductive, suggesting beautfully ripe plum and cassis. The flavors were consistent; the slight astringency which was still showing in my previous bottle a few years ago was now resolved. It was full-bodied, a little velvety, and had a lovely, soft-but-lingering finish.
I cannot remember the last time I had the '82, but I have been eyeing this last bottle in my cellar for some time and it did not disappoint. The nose opened up after the double decant, showing similar notes to the '86, but perhaps just a little more subdued. In the mouth, the wine was glorious - everything that one hopes for when opening an old Bordeaux. Still deep red, with some bricking at the rim. A near-perfect Cos, so elegant, balanced and, for lack of a better term, simply delicious! The fruit had not dried out, there was no unresolved tannin, the flavors and texture were fantastic. I wish I had more of this in my cellar.