| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The second wine of Cos is now of higher quality than most vintages of the "grand vin" pre the renaissance here in 2001. Pagodes is, of course, made in the same stunning new winery as Cos itself and is very much a more approachable version of the grand vin.
The 2017 Les Pagodes de Cos has developed nicely on the nose since I tasted it from barrel: fresh black brambly fruit, hints of oyster shell and brine, something estuarine. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. It is well balanced, straightforward and fresh, with satisfying sapid blackcurrant and black plum notes towards the finish. Give it 18-24 months in bottle, if you can, just to smooth its edges. Drink 2021-2032.
This shows wonderful depth and richness, yet it’s so fresh and vivid with dark berries, dark plums and spice. Full-bodied, balanced and creamy with beautiful flavors and structure. So many spices in this. Only 12% alcohol. Second wine of Château Cos-d’Estournel. Better after 2022.
The 2017 Pagodes de Cos is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It rocks up with open-knit scents of crushed black plums, boysenberries, and kirsch, plus suggestions of fragrant soil, cinnamon toast, and dried herbs. Medium-bodied, the palate is juicy and plush, delivering compelling tension and a savory finish.
This is enjoyable right off the bat, with its firm dark chocolate, liquorice and cassis character, joined by licks of gourmet patisserie swirling through - exactly what you expect from Pagodes de Cos, without losing its sense of restraint. I like the subdued power, and it seems more in the style of 2014 than 2015 or 2016. It's a touch austere but appealing, with a sumptuous touch that keeps it in the Cos stable. 60% of production went to the second wine this year, almost entirely from separate plots. Just 20% of the plots are interchangeable between grand vin and second wine, depending on the vintage character.
Drinking Window 2024 - 2038
Much more scented than the Goulée just tasted, with lovely dark-red fruits here. Sweet cassis and a light floral note. Delicate but harmonious structure, cool and silky, extremely silky, very fresh, apparently delicate but persistent too. Elegant and fresh right to the finish. Succulent and beautifully balanced.
Drink 2024-2032
Lovely cashmere and silk here. Medium ruby in the glass with an enticing nose of allspice, sweet vanill and moccha. The fruit on the palate offers red and black fruits with cherries and plums, chalky medocain tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is moderate and compact, with elegant summer fruits and a little creamy vanilla.
The nose is tight the start of the palate firm the fruit restrained by the tannins. Richer in the middle the powerful mix of black fruits pushes through concentred rich black fruits at the back the finish closed at the moment the tannins obvious. 2024-33
There is much more spice and dark fruit here and this vintage of Pagodes definitely has a mini-Cos feel about it. It is a little more streamlined and a little more discreet and controlled than I was anticipating. A superb effort, the tannins are smart and there is some enviable complexity on the nose. This is a far more detailed wine than I remember in previous vintages.
The 2017 Les Pagodes de Cos, which is being matured in 30% new oak (half of the Grand Vin), has a very clean and pure bouquet with black cherries, boysenberry jam and Indian ink. There is certainly impressive intensity here considering this is the deuxième vin. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannin. It is furnished with pretty blackberry and wild strawberry notes laced with white pepper and a subtle graphite seam. It has good sustain in the mouth with a “Pauillac” inspired finish in terms of discrete austerity and tannic backbone. I admire the focus here and even though there is not huge length this should age well. Tasted twice with consistent notes. 2020 - 2030
This is a tightly wound second wine with dark-berry, hazelnut and chocolate character. Full body, integrated tannins and a fresh and bright finish.
This is the second label of Cos d’Estournel, which accounted for about 55% of production in 2017. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Les Pagodes de Cos has a deep garnet-purple color and exuberant notes of crushed blackberries, red currants and cassis with touches of charcuterie, black soil and garrigue plus a waft of lavender. Medium-bodied and very fine-grained, it has great intensity and vibrancy with a good long, fruity finish.
