2021 Les Pagodes de Cos
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Lots of minerals and cassis on the nose. Mouth-filling fruit but a tad severe. Lots of tannin. Very youthful but – just – not too austere. (JR)
Critic scores
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Mostly Merlot but including 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2021 Pagodes De Cos has a juicy, medium-bodied, lively style that shows the fresher vibe of the vintage while bringing good depth of fruit and texture. Bright black cherries, currants, sappy tobacco, and some graphite/lead pencil notes all define the aromatics, and it has some classic Saint-Estèphe earth and spice. Raised in 25% new barrels and with 12.49% alcohol, drink this balanced, elegant Pagodes over the coming 10-15 years.
The 2021 Les Pagodes de Cos, which represents around half the chateau’s production, has meliorated on the nose since I tasted it from barrel, developing a little more charm and swagger in its mixture of black and red fruit, graphite and mocha. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, quite strict and linear, but at least there is ample freshness here. Saline on the finish and classic in style, the 2021 is just missing a bit of length. Fine.
The 2021 Les Pagodes de Cos is a big, potent wine. A blast of plum, blackberry, espresso, chocolate and licorice is dialed up to the maximum. Readers will find an explosive, almost shockingly full-throttle wine for the year. This feels a bit bombastic to me.
About the producer
Louis Gaspard d’Estournel inherited Cos and Pomys in 1791, founding Cos d’Estournel in 1811, investing significantly in the property and expanding the estate from 14 to 45 hectares. The estate rapidly rose to prominence and the wines were exported around the world.