2011 Pagodes de Cos, Saint-Estephe

The 2011 Les Pagodes de Cos is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. It has a lifted, floral bouquet with ripe Merlot filling in the gaps of the Cabernet nicely. The palate is oaky on the entry with a touch of vanilla inflecting the ripe black fruit with hints of espresso towards the tannic but well-balanced finish. This is commendable for the vintage. Tasted April 2012.

High pitched today, with bing cherry, floral and incense notes allied to a creamy texture and a long, suave finish. There's ample stuffing here but it's restrained right now, with a twinge of iron buried deeply on the finish. Tasted non-blind.-J.M.

[65CS/33M/2PV] Fine aromatic nose; very nicely balanced with a fresh but not intrusive acidity, (clearer on the finish than up front) and fine, restrained tannin; classic claret style and proportions; ripe in flavour, with a certain flesh and fat which are by no means a given in the year, complete, harmonious, and with good length. Very nice. This will be an easy and attractive expression of the vintage in 6-8 years. A lovely Pagodes. 2018-28 [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2012]

This estate’s second wine, the 2011 Les Pagodes de Cos reveals reasonably broad, round, black currant and black cherry fruit notes, medium body, surprisingly good texture and a soft finish. An attractive, plump effort, it will drink well for a decade. It mirrors its grander sibling as it is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot.

The 2011 Les Pagodes de Cos is a stylish, elegant, mid-weight blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot with a small dab of Petit Verdot. It offers attractive berry fruit, licorice, underbrush and spice box notes in a finesse styled format. Drink it over the next decade.

Drink 2018-2030 Intense cherry red. Spicy dark cherry. Then sweet dark cherry on the palate. Dry and bright too. Supple, lithe but full tannins. Cool fresh elegant, classical finish. (JH) 13.3%

Lively sweet cassis aroma. Chewy yet juicy, with moderate depth of fruit – just enough to fill the structure but the middle lacks energy and it's a bit short. (JH)