Decanter

Gorgeous, a clear step up from the 2000 vintage as it approaches its second decade. This is not quite ready to drink, although a few hours in a decanter could open it up sufficiently. It's full of intense, tight and spirited black fruits, replete with this château’s signature richness of structure, which seems to ooze naturally through the tannins. There's a real sense of energy and zest, with liquorice, slate, spice, cassis and black cherry. The second half of August was hotter in 2001 than 2000 in St-Estèphe, and the grapes were left to reach a long, slow maturity. Harvesting did not begin until 1 October when the nights were getting cooler –this will have helped the wine keep its remarkable freshness. Matured in 80% new oak. Drinking Window 2018 - 2040. (JA)

(07/2018)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2001 Cos d'Estournel is blended of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot — a very high percentage of Merlot in this vintage and a very late harvest, which started on October 1st. Deep garnet in color, the nose is singing with savory notes of smoked meats, tapenade, bay leaves and beef drippings with a core of plum preserves, redcurrant jelly, dried cherries and baked blackcurrants with wafts of peppermint tea and dried roses. Medium-bodied, the palate practically tingles with vibrant dried herbs, red fruit preserves and minty notes, structured with firm, finely grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and minerally. (LPB)

(11/2018)

James Suckling

Velvety textured with soft and silky tannins and a chocolate, meat and berry character. Full and round. Slightly forgotten and delicious.

(09/2015)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Bright ruby-red. Vibrant, complex aromas of cassis, graphite, eucalyptus and tobacco. Fat and sweet but shapely, with impressive density and underlying structure. Flavors of plum, mint, roasted nuts and sweet oak. Fairly full for young Cos, but quite suave. Finishes with firm but smooth tannins and excellent grip. Better than the 2000. (ST)

(06/2004)

Vinous

The 2001 Cos d’Estournel has long been one of the best wines from this period. It has a well-defined bouquet with more red than black fruit, vivid scents of raspberry and wild strawberry, just a hint of desiccated orange peel and humidor. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive structure, the fruit profile veering more towards black with that telltale meat juice/tobacco notes surfacing towards the delineated and focused finish. As I have commented previously, there is a sense of symmetry that means some will prefer it to the millennial Cos d’Estournel. Tasted at the Cos d’Estournel vertical in London. (NM)

(10/2018)

Wine Spectator

Suave, with a cool, minty hint weaving around the core of mulled red currant, blackberry and plum fruit. Lovely spice, black tea and singed juniper notes are perfectly inlaid throughout, showing a tug of charcoal at the very end. (JM, Web Only-2018)