Wine By Nine

Red Wine by Ch. Cos d'Estournel from St. Estephe, France - Bordeaux. The prodigious, fantastic 2003 Cos d’Estournel is a candidate for “wine of the vintage.” A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon (unusually high for this chateau), 30% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, 17,500 cases were produced from low yields. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by a compelling perfume of black fruits, subtle smoke, pain grille, incense, and flowers. With extraordinary richness, full body, and remarkable freshness, elegance, and persistence, this is one of the finest wines ever made by this estate. The good news is that it will be drinkable at a young age yet evolve for three decades or more. Kudos to winemaker Jean-Guillaume Prats and owner Michel Reybier. -Robert ParkerIn the old Gascon language, the word ‘Cos’ means ‘The Hill of Pebbles’. Appropriately named, Château Cos d’Estournel is situated on the banks of the Gironde River between Pauillac and St. Estèphe, where the property is clearly defined by the hill of Cos, reaching to a height of almost 65 feet. It is today owned by Michel Reybier, and continues to be managed by a member of the Prats family under the direction of Jean-Guillaume Prats. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc

Red Wine by Ch?teau Cos d'Estournel from St. Estephe, France - Bordeaux. Loads of currant and blackberry, with hints of Indian spices. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Round and generous for the vintage. Best after 2011. 15,000 cases made. Wine Spectator 94 points A beautiful example of the vintage, proprietor Michel Reybier and his top-notch winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats, have fashioned an exceptional wine displaying a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of boysenberries, black currants, cherries, pain grille, roasted herbs, and licorice. Medium-bodied with impressive density for the vintage, sweet tannin, and outstanding richness and length, it should be at its finest between 2009 and 2020+. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 92 points Deep red-ruby. Aromas of cassis, plum, licorice and coconutty oak. Round, suave and ripe, with lovely depth of flavor and a pliant, full texture for the year. This doesn't have quite the thrust of the 2006, but it's lively and fresh, and finishes ripely tannic and long. Stephen Tanzer'sInternational Wine Cellar 91 points

Red Wine by Ch. Phelan Segur from St. Estephe, France - Bordeaux. Subtle yet rich aromas of currant, spice and smoke follow through to a full-bodied palate, with chewy tannins and a long, flavorful aftertaste. Very thick, almost syrupy. Impressive. Best after 2010. -Wine Spectator The excellent 2003 has a deep ruby/plum color and asweet nose of creme de cassis, licorice, dried herbs, and earth. It is fresh, rich, savory, with velvety-textured tannins and a supple mouthfeel. It should drink well for up to a decade. This is a sleeper of the vintage. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

Red Wine by Chateau Les Ormes de Pez from St. Estephe, France - Bordeaux. A chewy red, showing intense aromas of raisin and spices, with hints of cedar. Full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins and a long finish. Best after 2010. Wine Spectator 89 points A huge, dry wine that packs in dark tannins and new wood. But it also has black currant and herb flavors that give more complexity. Wine Enthusiast 88-90 points

Red Wine by Chateau de Pez from St. Estephe, France - Bordeaux. Blend: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot The 2004 vintage is a lovely, solid color with dark red, almost purplish-blue highlights. The nose is packed with rich, complex, slightly jammy fruit, plus aromas of roasting and mocha from maturation in wood. It is very fresh, with floral, spicy notes. On the palate, the wine is a crisp, fleshy attack, followed by mouth-filling but not overly hard tannins. The wine grows richer and fatter by the moment but with no loss of elegance. This handsome wine will mature to perfection. There is an aging potential here that will more than reward a few years' cellaring. Dark, dry tannins are what good Saint-Estephe is all about when young, and de Pez doesn't disappoint. But it does more, with refined black plum skin flavors, a rich mix of spices and mint, and a refreshing streak of acidity. In 4-5 years, this will be an outstanding wine. -Wine Enthusiast

Red Wine by Ch?teau Haut-Beaus?jour from St. Estephe, France - Bordeaux. A deep garnet with glossy highlights. Nose is slightly peppery with scents of soft fruit, such as blackcurrant and raspberry. Merlot is predominant and marked by an honest attack that is well rounded and full. A supple wine, with a soft tannic structure, well balanced and not overpowered by wood. A very well balanced and elegant wine with an extensive lingering finish.