For any serious collector of Bordeaux, the so called “Super Seconds” should be on your list.  These are wines that while officially classified as second growths according to the French classification, can equal first growth quality, especially in great vintage years such as 2000, 2003, 2005 and the more recent 2009.  Cos d’Estournel from the St. Estephe region is one of these wines.  While the ’00, ’03 and ’05 all retail for ~$200, the former two have seen moderate appreciation since release while the latter has been stable.  The ’09, thus far, is commanding the highest prices yet, around $300, and reports are that it is truly a monster of a wine capable of aging for the next several decades.

The 2000 ( that vintage coined as the Bordeaux of the century), comprised of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, displays lovely notes of blackberry, currant, licorice and crushed flowers on a velvety smooth bed of fine tannins.  The wine is now ready for drinking and should be enjoyed easily for the next decade.  The 2003 is blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc and is one of those unique blends of power and elegance.  With an inky dark purple hue, the wine exhibits deep blackberry and currant, pain grille, licorice, incense and cut flowers.  Tannins are like velvet and the finish is long and impressively smooth.  This is a wine that has at least more two decades of life written all over it.  2005, believe it or not, brought still another “Bordeaux vintage of the new century,” this time a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.  This is a wine, once again, that blends power with elegance, gorgeous aromas of cassis, blackberry, spices and toasted oak along with some leather and I swear I smell a vague hint of orange peel!!  The tannins in this vintage are deep and powerful yet do not overwhelm, their structure velvety smooth.  This wine, if stored properly, should no problem aging well for the next few decades.