2017 Les Pagodes de Cos
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Fresh red fruit and hedgerow. Graphite crunch. Earthy and savoury, full of herbal bite and bright acidity. Compact and traditional, though the tannins do soften and should offer good approachability. (TP)
Critic scores
James Suckling
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
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.
Deeper ruby-colored and based on 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2017 Pagodes De Cos is similarly hued to the grand vin and offers classy notes of creme de cassis, red currants, toasted spice, dried tobacco, and graphite. It's rich, medium-bodied, nicely concentrated, yet relatively closed on the palate. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the coming decade.
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. (NM)
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.