The 1990 Cos d'Estournel, a Bordeaux Blend from the St. Estephe sub-region of Bordeaux, France, presents itself as a mature and complex wine with notable depth. Produced by Cos d'Estournel, this red wine, sealed with a cork, boasts an alcohol content of 13.0%.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this vintage a score of 94, commenting on its full maturity and the exhibition of "sweet berry fruit intermixed with spice box herbs and spring flowers." The review highlights the wine's "expansive, round, and sensual" nature, underpinned by "wonderful purity as well as lushness," making it an "irresistible wine" to be enjoyed over the next 6-10 years.
Neal Martin's Wine Journal offered a slightly higher score of 95, describing the 1990 Cos d'Estournel as an "impressive wine" with a long aging potential, noting its "deep garnet core" and complex notes of "black olive, chimney soot, dusty bureau, and scorched earth." Martin underscores the wine's robust structure and firm tannic frame, suggesting it will remain enjoyable through 2030 and beyond. He describes it as "masculine, a clenched fist of a wine," yet balanced, with flavors of "blackberry and pain grille."
James Suckling, in his review, rated the wine at 92, noting its "refined" character with "dark fruits" and "delicate spice and leather notes." He describes it as full to medium-bodied with "fine tannins" and a slightly "funky" aspect, recommending it for immediate consumption.
Jeff Leve, writing for TheWineCellarInsider.com, also rated the wine at 94. Tasting it on Father's Day, he found it "elegant, opulent, silky, and fresh on the palate" with a strong "cigar box and tobacco nose," along with "mint, green peppery tones, five spice, smoke, roasted cassis, cedar, and pepper." Leve emphasizes that this wine is fully mature and advises against extended decanting, except to remove sediment.
In summary, the 1990 Cos d'Estournel is a well-regarded Bordeaux Blend with a rich bouquet and a robust, balanced palate. It has reached full maturity, offering an array of complex flavors and aromas, making it a standout vintage that has been appreciated by several prominent wine reviewers.
