Cos d\’Estournel 1986 (750ml)

95

Decanter

Review Date: 12/2015

Vibrant deep colour, this has masses of spice box and minerals on the nose. Of course, the 86 was famous for its power and tannic structure and this is still muscular and foursquare, but the tannins are beginning to yield and soften. Very fresh acidity and classic sweet cassis fruit with notes of minerals, underbrush and tobacco. Very pure and long. Impressively, the wine had been decanted two hours previously and was still evolving in the glass more than an hour later. (JS)

95

Wine Advocate
Review Date: 10/1994

The 1986 is a highly extracted wine, with a black/ruby color and plenty of toasty, smoky notes in its bouquet that suggest ripe plums and licorice. Evolving at a glacial pace, it exhibits massive, huge, ripe, extremely concentrated flavors with impressive depth and richness. It possesses more power, weight, and tannin than the more opulent and currently more charming 1985.

92

Vinous
Review Date: 10/2018

The 1986 Cos dEstournel replicates the performance from my 30-year on tasting that I conducted a few months back. The bouquet is attractive with mint and juniper berries that grab the attention of the olfactory senses, later accompanied by liquorice and graphite. The palate is understated on the entry but then builds in the mouth with wonderful spice and black pepper infused black fruit that form the foundation of this Cos dEstournel. Sure, it feels masculine and structured on the finish and perhaps translates more the growing season that Saint-Estphe. (NM)

92

Wine Spectator
Review Date: 05/1990

No tasting note given. (HS)

JR

Jancis Robinson
Review Date: 03/2013

At last! This wine has come round and is really rather lovely. Lots of fruit, a suggestion of dry dustiness on the finish but beautiful balance. Earlier it had always seemed a bit austere. A rare pleasure to feel one has opened the bottle at the perfect time. (JR)