Cos d’Estournel COS100, Saint-Estephe, 2015

From the iconic, pagoda-topped estate in Saint-Estèphe, Château Cos d’Estournel's 2015 stands as a profound expression of its celebrated terroir. This vintage presents a deep, opaque garnet core. The nose unfolds with remarkable precision, revealing layers of crushed blackcurrant, ripe plum, and sweet tobacco leaf, all interwoven with a signature vein of exotic spice—cardamom and sandalwood—that is the estate's hallmark. On the palate, it is both powerful and suave. The rich, densely packed fruit is seamlessly framed by fine-grained, sculpted tannins, providing formidable structure without austerity. Notes of dark chocolate, espresso bean, and a cool graphite minerality emerge through the mid-palate, leading to an extraordinarily long, resonant finish. This wine possesses the opulence of the year with the classic spine of Cos, suggesting exceptional longevity. Decant for an hour to allow its full majesty to unfold, and serve alongside slow-roasted lamb or a hearty mushroom bourguignon. A wine of immense character and promise.