1983 Château Cos d'Estournel
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Tasting notes
At first glimpse in March 1984, this Cos d'Estournel was raw, tannic, angular, and unyielding, although it had good color and weight on the palate. Later in the year the wine was showing more richness and fruit, but still decidedly tannic in a hard, lean way. Recent tastings have established that this wine is maturing quickly, taking on an advanced color. Never the picture of balance, this weedy, somewhat attenuated effort from Cos has become more compressed and charmless over time. It is a disappointment for the vintage. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted 11/96.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Dense and powerful with tobacco, cherry and vanilla aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and very firm with a long finish. Needs time. try after 1998.--The Bordeaux 50. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 1994
Given the fine quality of this vintage and the performance of other Medoc estates, this must be the most disappointing effort for Cos d'Estournel during the decade of the eighties. The wine began life tough, tannic, angular, and charmless. Now that the moderate quantities of fruit have faded, it remains hard, lean, and tough-textured, with no charm or personality. The light ruby color reveals orange nuances. There is a dustiness to this wine, which is beginning its decline. Last tasted, 6/93. Aug 1993, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Louis Gaspard d’Estournel inherited Cos and Pomys in 1791, founding Cos d’Estournel in 1811, investing significantly in the property and expanding the estate from 14 to 45 hectares. The estate rapidly rose to prominence and the wines were exported around the world.