Bordeaux 2013 – St-Estèphe

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For a list of all our articles, see Bordeaux 2013 – a guide to our coverage.

If Pomerol and Pauillac are the two high fliers of 2013, then St-Julien and St-Estèphe are perhaps the smart buys. Having said that, certain St-Estèphe châteaux are already known to be of questionable value en primeur – but there are plenty of other good wines to choose from in 2013, if price is a factor.

The tasting notes are listed in alphabetical order.

Ch Calon Ségur 2013 St-Estèphe

92% Cabernets, 6% Merlot (normally more like 25%), 2% Petit Verdot. Rich, scented perfume on the nose, medium body and pretty intense tannins – very compact and restricting on the palate. Deserves some maturation, but doesn’t have the body and concentration to go very long term. (RH) 13.1%
Drink
2020
2025
17 +

Ch Capbern Gasqueton 2013 St-Estèphe

91% Cabernets, 6% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Lovely medicinal character, classic blackcurrant fruit, dry but not at all astringent. The tannins are grippy but welcoming. This suits its medium body – seems to be very restrained and traditional. Lovely! (RH) 13%
Drink
2017
2027
17

Ch Cos d'Estournel, Goulée 2013 Médoc

60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc. Rich, succulent, sweet black fruit and an integrated herbal character. So smooth and polished – impeccable selection, no doubt. This has a very fine sheen. (RH)

Drink
2016
2023
16.5 +

Ch Cos d'Estournel, Pagodes de Cos 2013 St-Estèphe

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Light body, crisp palate and very tenderised tannins – sumptuous and pixel-perfect structure. The fruit is pretty simple. (RH)
Drink
2018
2028
17

Ch Cos d'Estournel 2013 St-Estèphe

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Closed on the nose, very strong tannins binding everything together – great depth and concentration and power – yet at such modest alcohol. This is a rare advantage of 2013; flavour ripeness at lower alcohol. Pretty impenetrable at this stage. Deserves the same cellaring as a ‘normal’ vintage to give it the best opportunity. (RH)
Drink
2021
2033
17.5

Ch Cos Labory 2013 St-Estèphe

Sweet, generous, juicy fruit. Lots of smoky character too. Rounded, supple but with fine tannic definition on the finish. Good, ageworthy potential. (RH)
Drink
2018
2028
17

Ch Lilian Ladouys 2013 St-Estèphe

Earthy, juicy and savoury – a good, honest combination. Pretty fierce tannins – presents the 2013 conundrum of whether the lightish body and concentration will age sufficiently to match. I wouldn’t bet on it. (RH)
Drink
2020
2025
16

Ch Montrose, La Dame de Montrose 2013 St-Estèphe

69% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc. Pure cassis and cedar – very classic, very correct. Manages to conjure plenty of body as well – really satisfying and complete. Modest length. Very traditional, yet with modern drinkability. (RH)
Drink
2016
2024
17

Ch Montrose 2013 St-Estèphe

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Lovely aromas, though in a rather constrained fashion. Luscious fruit and beautifully plush tannins. Attractive dark chocolate and tobacco-smoke flavours, good persistence. Very good – delicately rendered, but with no compromise on fruit character. (RH)
Drink
2019
2027
17.5 +

Ch Les Ormes de Pez 2013 St-Estèphe

Sweet black cherry, very high, super-fine tannins. Liquorice and leather to finish. Slightly lacking in concentration, as is 2013’s wont. Still, well-formed flavours with good length. (RH)
Drink
2018
2028
17

Ch de Pez 2013 St-Estèphe

Blackcurrant, milk chocolate, light tannins, quite straightforward and easy drinking. (RH)
Drink
2016
2023
15.5

Ch Phélan Ségur 2013 St-Estèphe

Blackcurrant, menthol, mint leaf. Strong, mouth-coating tannins, medium body and tight structure. A bit mean, after the lifted aromatic start. (RH)
Drink
2016
2024
15.5

Ch Tronquoy-Lalande 2013 St-Estèphe

52% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Light but very clean flavours with an attractive bitterness and plenty of plump black cherry fruit. Very melded tannins – lovely suppleness. Well made, no betrayal of poor conditions – just easy drinking and pleasurable. (RH)
Drink
2018
2028
17