2017 Pagodes de Cos, Saint-Estephe

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.

A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, this second wine accounts for about 55% of production. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Les Pagodes de Cos sashays out of the glass with youthful, presumptuous notes of Black Forest cake, raspberry preserves, cassis and spice cake with nuances of lavender, chocolate box, anise and underbrush. Medium-bodied, the palate has wonderful elegance and precision, with a very finely grained frame and seamless freshness supporting the soft-spoken red and black fruits, finishing with a quiet intensity.

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. www.vinous.com

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.
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, erobertparker.com, April 2018

The 2017 Les Pagodes de Cos is pliant, supple and quite approachable – in other words everything a second wine should be. Succulent red cherry and plum fruit is pushed forward in this soft, inviting Saint-Estèphe. Floral notes add lift. Hints of chocolate, leather and spice add shades of nuances throughout. In 2017, Pagodes represents 60% of the production. The blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. - vinous.com, May 2018

The excellent second wine of top St Estephe property Cos d'Estournel. Muted and backwards on the nose. Quite a rich core of dark fruit with blackcurrant and cassis. Finishes dry and balanced. - April 2018

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. - Julia Harding, jancisrobinson.com, April 2018

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Harvested 12–30 September. 30% new oak. pH 3.71, IPT 61. 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. (JH)