2022 Pagodes de Cos, Saint-Estephe

The 2022 Pagodes De Cos is head-turning good, and it’s going to challenge the 2009 as the greatest vintage for this cuvée to date. Based on 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, this huge, opulent, full-bodied beauty has terrific purity in its cassis and blueberry fruits as well as notes of graphite, scorched earth, and tobacco. With sweet tannins, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and a gorgeous finish, this is an incredible second wine that readers will love.

A hit of olive, bitter chocolate and salted caramel opens things up here, along with brambled fruits and plentiful tannins. 3.72ph, 20% new oak. Harvest September 7 to 23. 33% of the crop used in Pagodes this year, instead of the usual 50%, with all the rest in the 1st wine. 33hl/h yield. Blend finalised early December.

The 2022 Pagodes d’Estournel is a very sexy wine. Rich, ample and engaging, the 2022 makes a very strong opening impression. Black cherry, plum, licorice, spice and chocolate are front and center. This flashy, radiant Saint-Estèphe is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Firm, chocolatey tannins sustain the finish.

The 2022 Les Pagodes de Cos represents one-third of this year's volume and is matured in 20% new oak. It has a sensual bouquet with ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit. It's delineated and focused but is clearly a Deuxième Vin requiring some bottle age. The palate is well-defined with fine-boned tannins, fresh, vibrant and cohesive with a tensile, slightly peppery finish that lingers long in the mouth. This seems to grow in the glass.

Aromas of crème de cassis, blackberries and cigar wrapper introduce the 2022 Les Pagodes de Cos, a full-bodied, rich and enveloping wine with a broad attack, lively acids and a firm, chewy finish. Like the grand vin, this is quite muscular and extracted in style, but it retains good balance.

Aromas of rich berries, plums, spices and pencil shavings introduce the 2022 Les Pagodes de Cos, a medium to full-bodied, rich and muscular wine that's fleshy and extracted while remaining somewhat fresh and vibrant.