Wonderful spice and currant aromas to this young wine. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated, refined tannins. Long caressing finish. This is very, very silky. Just like from barrel. Cos is on top of it now. Best after 2008.

A beautiful effort, the 2001 Cos d'Estournel (65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot) exhibits a poised, noble bouquet of black currants, cedar, spice box, and licorice. A hint of truffles emerges as it sits in the glass. Medium-bodied with sweet fruit (mostly black) and nicely integrated wood, it builds incrementally in the mouth, ending with a 50-second finish. Drink this stylish, restrained yet substantial claret over the next 15+ years.

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.