This unique blend of 70% merlot, 24% cabernet franc, and 6% cabernet sauvignon presents a medium red-ruby colour. It entices with red and black cherries, liquorice, camphor, violet, and espresso aromas. The palate is a delightful mix of sweetness and juiciness, with plenty of vinosity and grip. New oak flavours complement the cherries, bitter chocolate, and espresso. The wine's firm and brisk style, with just enough lurking fat to support the tannins, has been significantly tamed. The nose, more open than the palate, promises an even better palate.
This wine's high scores from renowned critics and publications testify to its exceptional quality, balance, and complexity. However, its ageing potential with at least 7 - 8 years of good life truly sets it apart, making it a highly regarded choice for collectors and connoisseurs.
Robert Parker gave it a score of 88, noting that there was a lot of oak and perhaps too much extraction. Nevertheless, he found the wine generous, structured, and with lots of depth. The 2007 vintage gives a mixed message of whether it will pull itself together or become ragged and disjointed. Time will tell.
Gilbert & Gaillard rated it 94, highlighting its velvet character, smooth and round texture, and potential for further development over the next 7 to 8 years due to its tannins and acidity.
Wine Enthusiast scored 93, noting its deep colour, dense nose, ripe fruit, a touch of chocolate, and floral undertones. The clean, full-bodied palate develops solid tannins, making it a unique and racy wine.
The 2005 Château d'Issan is one that Emmanuel Cruse describes as "the first great wine of the modern era". Almost opaque, it has more Merlot than previous vintages as some plots, so it has more flesh and freshness and displays more fruit intensity on the nose compared to the 2000, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 that we had tasted. Blackberry and briary, wilted rose petals, and violets are nicely focused, though you could argue not as complex as other crus of similar standing. The palate is full-bodied with grainy tannins, a fine bead of acidity and a gentle grip. It has a lively finish with a subtle marine influence on the aftertaste. score is high: Anson97, RP96, JS95. Other more prudent tastings award a 93 to 92 level(John Gilman and Vinous, respectfully). It may taste coarse for some. But its unique, bold style is not repeatable.
Anson 97: A classic Issan that slowly steals up on you and doesn't let go. It feels full of signature appellation character - balanced and effortless, melted tannins and a touch of violet aromatics. It's not going anywhere soon, but this is ready to be enjoyed. A yield of 42hl/ha. Beautiful stuff from owner Emmanuel Cruse. Edited,
RP96. The 2005 d'Issan, the more serious grand vin twin, is a wine with a promising future. With its stunning nose of spring flowers, blackcurrant, blue/black fruits, and an impressively opaque dark plum/purple colour, it is a wine of great potential. The rich, concentrated, and pure mouthfeel, the wonderfully sweet tannin, full-bodied density, and richness, all point to a wine that will only improve with age. This is a wine to be savoured now and over the next 20 years, with its peak expected between 2015 and 2035. Edited.
95 points, James Suckling
Lots of sweet tea leaves with mineral and currant character. Stone undertones, too. Full body, firm tannins and a tight finish. It is one of the best from here, with beautifully polished tannins. This needs at least three hours of decanting now. It's a wine for the future but delicious now. (3/2015) Edited.
It is a deep, ruby colour with a light pink rim. On the nose, fresh blackcurrants, prunes, cigar box, herbs, leather plumps, violets and dark chocolate. On the palate, cherries and plum fruit are fixed to a dry and toasty finish. 2011 Cos Labory is not a full-bodied St-Estèphes, possibly due to the relatively high proportion of Cabernet Franc, like 30% in the blend(the other two-thirds are Cabernet and Merlot, as well as a dash of Petit Verdot). It is more structured than 2012. This tasting still applies today.
The wine was fermented in enamel-lined concrete tanks and aged in small barriques (30-50% new) for 18 months, hence its freshness, power, and intensity.
The central part of the 18-hectare vineyard is a long, thin strip located just to the west of Cos d'Estournel, with the rest being near Lafon Rochet. However, in the last ten years, we have seen a move towards a more substantial style, and the wines are now some of the best (and most sensibly priced) in St-Estèphe.
Cos Labory is one of the smallest of the Cru Classé châteaux in Bordeaux. This 5ème Cru Classé St-Estèphe property has been in the hands of the same Audoy family since the beginning of the last century.
Scores are consistent and impressive: GG95, WS93, Falstaff93, Decanter93.
