CHÂTEAU COS D'ESTOURNEL

Rich on the nose yet there are fragrances hints of violets and the start of the palate has black fruited power. Chocolate and coffee add to the mid complexity the cassias and black cherry giving richness towards the back. The tannins at the back are firm but not aggressive and there is just a hint of spice on the finish. 2020-30 Rating: 90-93 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (May 2014)

After some atypical releases in recent years, most notably the body built 2009, this is a welcome return to a more classic style of Cos, with firm, St Estèphe tannins, good grip and structure and a fresh, acid-driven finish. Appealingly low in alcohol at only 12.7%, too. 2020-30 Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2014)

(78 Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 Merlot, 2 Cabernet Franc) 71 IPT. Wow a ‘feminine’, beautiful, fragrant Cos. A rare beast indeed with incredible delicacy and charm. Purists might miss the point here, but taken as a standalone wine this is a beauty. Pure, bright and an extraordinary expression from this Château perhaps more famous for making hefty, pumped-up wines! I love the perfume – it is exotic, haunting and magnetic. The team never believed, in early September when the heavens opened, that they could make something as lip-smacking as this wine. Strangely, they had to learn ‘how to make a lower alcohol wine’. The warm spells in July and August saved the vintage. It could have been disastrous without this lift in the ripeness. Yields are one third down at26hl/ha. They could have picked later but, on reflection, they would have made an overbalanced wine and so in 2013 Cos has made a rare and wonderful addition to its family. Rating: 17.5 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Apr 2014)

Rich colour, fragrant nose with fine aromatic complexity to come, robust and slightly spicy on the palate, leaner than usual, good long-term Drink: 2019-2030. Rating: 17.5 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2014)

A fresh, spicy young wine with a subtle fruit and tannin structure. Bright fruit and acidity. It’s like the 1985 but cleaner. I like the balance to this for the vintage. Only 12.7% alcohol. Rating: 90-91 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2014)

The Grand Vin is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc picked between 27 September and 10 October at 26.3hl/ha. It is being raised in 60% new oak and the alcohol level is around 12.7%. The fruit was sorted in the vineyard, two trips through the vineyard to weed out the millerande berries. I like the focus on the nose. It is not powerful but it is intense and very well defined with blackberry and cassis notes unfolding in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, a crisp level of acidity and overall, a somewhat relaxed feel, a nonchalant Cos d'Estournel that has accepted the growing season for what it is. It is actually cut from a similar cloth to the Montrose this year, although I find a little more persistency coming through towards the finish. This is a decent Cos d'Estournel that will need 4 to 6 years in bottle Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)

Cloves, cinnamon, menthol, plums and spices meld together in the 2013 Cos d'Estournel. Suave and silky to the core, the 2013 impresses for its balance and class. This isn't a huge wine, but all the elements fall into place effortlessly. In 2013, Cos is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)