The 2014 Cos d'Estournel has been uncorked.

[JimHow]

I'll soon be acquiring six bottles of this at a great price.
It is a profound wine, worth every penny, but I must say that i prefer the '14 Ducru on a style basis.

[stefan]

I am looking forward to drinking 2002 and 2005 Cos tomorrow night to see how far to the "dark side" Cos has turned.

[JimHow]

Looking forward to it, Stefan, I almost uncorked the 2002 tonight.
This 2014 Cos is great but I prefer the Ducru for sure.

[marcs]

Why?

[JimHow]

What I liked about the Cos was that it was true the terroir. It was very classic Cos, classic St. Estephe.
Again, whether that is because of the nature of the great 2014 left bank vintage or a reflection of altered winemaking technique or a combination of both I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking the character of that unique vintage had a greater part in it.
I just thought the Ducru reached a greater height in that year, like Comte said it is one of the great Ducrus of the past thirty years.

[marcs]

Well, I own four of the 2014 Cos and none of the 2014 Ducru so in my view, having tasted neither of them, the Cos is clearly superior.

[Racer Chris]

Well, I own four of the 2014 Cos and none of the 2014 Ducru so in my view, having tasted neither of them, the Cos is clearly superior.

+1

[Comte Flaneur]

Jim thanks for going into bat for the team ITNOS ... I am looking forward to your tasting note of the 2014 Comtesse.

[marcs]

I own SIX of the 2014 Comtesse so I can already tell you it is the best wine of all!

[JimHow]

I have ten. The problem with drinking one of them is that it will leave me with only 9 in a bin that holds ten.
And you know what that means.

[Nicklasss]

Come on guys, open these 2014. Not much availble here so I live on your reports. All I have is the 2014 Meyney.

I know JeanFred has some 2014 like Pichon Comtesse or Cos d'Estournel, but he will keep them for him, and share with me some Barolo or Brunello instead. What a great friend!

Nic

[stefan]

Last night our family drank 2002 and 2005 Cos d'Estournel with sous vide rib roast. Opinions were mixed whether these were modern or traditional style Bordeaux: "both modern", "only 2005 modern", "neither modern". stefanJr had an opinion closest to mine; namely, that the wines were different and reflected the different weather, with the 2005 being richer, but the wines themselves were classic northern Medoc. All agreed that the wines are too young. I think the 2002 needs ten years and the 2005 15 years to reach prime drinking stage. Both have good structure, but the fruit has now receded and, especially in the 2005, the tannins dominate the fruit and the spice. For nearer term drinking I prefer the 2002, but the 2005 is decidedly superior. I do not like the phase the 2005 is in now, though. Before drinking the 1988 La Tour Blanche that followed I had to brush my teeth and use my Indian tongue cleaner.

[marcs]

I was really surprised, almost shocked, by how backward the 2002 Cos was when I had it a year or two ago. Many other major 2002s are drinking great now. A bit disappointed as 2002 is not a vintage I was planning to keep for 25 years in order to drink.

[JimHow]

Yeah the 2002 Cos is an odd wine.

[Comte Flaneur]

Thanks for the note stefan, I agree that these wines need a lot more time, especially the behemoth 2005. The wines don’t lack power but may lack grace.

Jim in the hotel in NY in 2016 didn’t we drink one of your 2001 Cos’s? Alongside 2003 Yquem? We weren’t in a fit state to take notes really.

[Blanquito]

I sold my 02 Cos. It’s not a bad wine but it went at auction for $120/bottle, which is only a bit less than what the 85, 86, 88 and 89 Cos can be found for. Easy swap for me.

[JimHow]

Mr. Flaneur, I remember the d'Yquem, I vaguely remember the Cos.