1979 Château Cos d'Estournel
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Tasting notes
Tasted three times previously, the 1979 Cos d'Estournel is now past its best. The Cabernet component lends it a Pauillac-like nose with decent focus. But it is let down by the dry, austere palate – a "doughnut" Saint-Estèphe that is missing a middle – and rustic on the finish. Bottles should be consumed in the near future. Tasted at a private lunch in London.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The best of the 1979 St.-Estephes, Cos d'Estournel has a dark ruby color, with a developing bouquet of ripe cherries, cassis, and some vanillin, oaky scents. Full, yet corpulent for the vintage, with surprising weight and depth, this wine has aged slowly and still needs another 2-3 years of bottle age to be fully mature. Anticipated maturity: Now-2000. Last tasted, 11/89.
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.