The 2005 Cos d'Estournel is a Bordeaux blend from the St. Estephe sub-region of Bordeaux, France. Composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, this wine is recognized for its deep garnet color and complex profile. It is bottled with a cork closure and has an alcohol content of 13.5%.
Mike Supple of JJ Buckley rates this wine highly with a score of 98, describing it as "very dark inky purple all the way to the edge" with a "gorgeous spicy clove and pepper aroma over cherry smoky leather and raspberry." He notes its "outstandingly well integrated rich juicy super-fine tannins" and concludes it to be a "possible wine of a lifetime."
Wine Spectator's review, dated January 2018, also praises the wine with a score of 96, highlighting its "gorgeous wave of rich melted licorice, fig bread, warm plum compote, and steeped blackberry flavors" and adds that it is "still tight" but shows promise for the future. They suggest the best drinking window will be from 2020 through 2040.
Wine & Spirits gives it a 95, emphasizing its "unprecedented power in 2005," and noting that "the wine comes in at 13.95 percent alcohol, and it’s grand in every sense." The review mentions the "tart black cherry fruit and the black tannin" and predicts that it will be "an astonishing wine at 12 to 15 years of age."
Neal Martin's Wine Journal also awards it a 96, appreciating its "opulent and riper bouquet" and suggesting that it has "meliorated in the last couple of years." He praises its "full-bodied with very fine tannin" and "freshness and energy."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also scores it a 98, noting its "deep garnet colored" appearance and "tightly wound layers of perfumed black fruits and earthy notions." Lisa Perrotti-Brown states that it still needs "5-6 years" but is "just beginning to reveal the true potential of this wine."
James Suckling is particularly enthusiastic, awarding it a near-perfect score of 99. He describes the wine as "fascinating with plums, currants and other dark fruits" and notes its "chewy polished tannins and a long, long finish."
In conclusion, the 2005 Cos d'Estournel is a powerful and complex wine that has received high praise across various reviews for its rich flavors, robust tannins, and aging potential. With scores ranging from 95 to 99, it is evident that this wine is highly regarded and expected to continue developing positively over the coming decades.