| 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.
This is very spicy and linear with fine tannins that run the length of the wine. It’s medium-bodied with freshness and lovely length. Very classic in style. Closed at the end. Drink after 2025.
The 2019 Pagodes de Cos is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it wafts out of the glass with delicate notions of iron ore, unsmoked cigars, cedar, and pencil lead, over a core of cassis, redcurrant jelly, and truffles. Medium-bodied, firm and grainy, it has a lively backbone and plenty of muscular black fruits, finishing savory.
Plenty of tannins that are muscular and dense, clearly signposting a 2nd wine from a high quality estate. Has grip and tension through the palate, with cocoa shavings and fresh acidities. There are black fruits here, a little subdued at the moment, but this is impressive.
Tasted blind. Evolved garnet colour. Light and fragrant. A bit skinny and austere – very unlike wines 1 and 2 in this flight (Ch Capbern and Ch Calon Ségur, Le Marquis de Calon Ségur)! High acidity rather than lots of tannin on the end. Clean and fresh and pure, but only for classicists. Well-balanced finish. 13.5%
Drink 2026– 2035
The 2019 is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot - all the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that normally go into Cos d'estournel are found in Pagodes this year. Bright ruby colour, with fleshy red fruits and a little sweet spice on the nose. The palate is one of juicy summer pudding, with sappy tannins framing a core of red fruits. Fresh and vibrant acididty cleanses the palate on this lithe and crunchy style of 2019.
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample.
Poised, fresh and balanced with nothing in excess. Plenty of lift on the nose with berry fruit, mineral and liquorice notes. Long and linear but with adequate flesh. Fine, persistent tannins. Juicy and harmonious. Ticks all the boxes. (JL)
Drink 2026 – 2038
This is really minerally and salty with spices, such as cloves. Full-bodied, yet tight and beautiful. Chewy, yet focused and bright. Very integrated. Hard not to drink.
The 2019 Les Pagodes de Cos (14.03% alcohol) is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, aging in 20% new barriques. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, notions of wild blueberries, boysenberries and redcurrant jelly come bounding out of the glass, followed by a profound core of warm cassis, licorice and bouquet garni with a touch of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts with bright, expressive black and red fruit flavors, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing on a lingering spicy note.
Plump blackberry fruits, velvety texture and evident tannins. An excellent wine that has sapidity and punch, a great combination that makes this extremely successful. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Drinking Window 2024 - 2038
