| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Pagodes is the second wine of Cos d'Estournel and is, of course, made in the same stunning new winery as Cos itself. It is a more approachable version of the grand vin and usually of classed growth quality.
The 2021 Les Pagodes de Cos is a strong effort, offering up aromas of cassis, charcoal, dark berries and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium to full-bodied, sweet and fleshy palate that's quite rich and extracted, concluding with a saline finish. It's a blend of 60% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 2025 - 2035
Most of the Merlot of Cos can be found here in 2021. The blend is 60% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The abv is 12.49% and it will be aged in 25% new oak. Mid ruby colour. Slightly smudge cherry and hedgerow fruit on the nose. There is a herbal tone too, that is equally prominent on the palate. Crunchy and lithe, this is a midweight and compact example with savoury, earthy tones to compete with cool red fruit. Sandy tannins and cedar linger on the finish.
Blackberry and blueberry aromas and flavors with black licorice and asphalt. Medium-bodied with round, lightly chewy tannins and a juicy finish. A little fluid in the mid-palate. Bright and focused at the end. 60% merlot, 36% cabernet sauvignon, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Pagodes de Cos shoots out with notions of freshly crushed blackberries, redcurrants, and cassis, plus hints of Sichuan pepper, dusty soil, tobacco, and spice box. Light to medium-bodied, the palate delivers a good intensity of herbs-laced black fruits with a firm grainy texture and a long refreshing finish. The blend is 60% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
2025-2040
Visually the texture is attractive, supple, inviting. This is different to the character than you have found in Pagodes over recent years, the acidity is clearly more present through the tannins, which appear at the front of the mouth. But there are plenty of vivid blue fruits, together with bitter chocolate character, this is classically balanced, enjoyable, old school, successful in the vintage and suggests again that St Estèphe is a high spot in 2021, because so few 2nd wines have performed this well. 30% new oak, harvst September 23 to October 7.
60% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
Dark- and red-berry aromas. Medium-bodied, round and juicy but lacks some intensity. Firm tannins with a bit of bite on the finish so some structure. May develop but not much excitement at present. (JL) 12.5%
Drink 2027 – 2035
Impressively rich and concentrated for a second wine in this vintage, the 2021 Les Pagodes de Cos delivers notes of raspberries, spiced plums and violets, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and salted palate framed by ripe tannins and lively acids.
