1971 Cos d'Estournel Saint Estephe

1971 Cos d'Estournel Saint Estephe

Celebrating my friend’s birthday, so he brought along 2 bottles of 1971 wines of which it is getting increasingly difficult to source for, so I’d be happy to drink a 50 year old matured Bordeaux, pretty much drinking at it’s peak bottle age. Bouquet was stunning with earthy notes and dark berries, plus very faint tobacco. Palate was stunning, very addictive to me, it wasn’t even shying away from the next glass which is a top rated Haut Brion 1982. It was certainly lively content, very expressive of a matured Bordeaux wine, very engaging. At the end of the dinner, this Cos d’Estournel faded and fell off the cliff compared to Ducru Beaucaillou 1971 and Haut Brion 1982, for a 50 year old wine plus a mediocre 1971 vintage, it has served it’s due more than expected already.

27 Mar 2017
JURASSIC COS 3
Amongst the flight of 64, 69, 71, this 71 was the consensus vote for wine of the flight. Frankly, I really struggled to enjoy old Cos d'Estournel, it was really a struggle to keep itself alive. Many second growth labels performed much better than Cos. Nose of slight smoke, sour and acidic. The palate was fruity, creamy, but also acidic. Loads of orange peels here. Drink at your own risk.....