Pagodes de Cos 2009

Remarkably lush and supple for the appellation, yet not lacking in density, with rich plum, cassis and blackberry confiture notes leading the way and flickers of charcoal, tobacco and singed iron keeping the almost-flattering finish honest. Approachable, but this should knit nicely with mid-term cellaring. Drink now through 2023. 10,000 cases made.

This is a full wine with rich fruit on the nose, with a sense of freshness and sexiness. The tannins and acidity are still offering grip, showing its ageability.

Tasted blind. Mid crimson. Smells of fermented blackcurrant pastilles. Intense with some woodsmoke elements. Certainly dramatic! Perhaps a little over-extracted. Wait quite a while for this. (JR)

The 2009 Pagodes De Cos is a blockbuster that I wish I had more of in the cellar. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot (there’s a small amount of Petit Verdot) brought up in roughly 50% new French oak, its deep purple/plum color is followed by a smorgasbord of black raspberry and kirsch-like fruits, spice box, dried flowers, and licorice. With a huge mid-palate, sweet, sweet tannin, beautiful purity of fruit, and a great finish, it’s an incredibly sexy, satisfying second wine that will keep for another 10–15 years.

Sparkling ruby color. The nose is a red-berry fruit bomb, with nutty roasted aromas mingled with milk chocolate and fine wood notes reminiscent of mahogany. On the palate, pepper and verve; the tannins are still slightly powdery but bring a lovely sweetness, showing vintage-typical concentration and impressive potential. In any case, calling this a “second wine” is almost an insult, so well made are these Pagodes. First optimal drinking window in two years!

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with violet hues on the rim. Lavish bouquet with an intoxicating sweetness reminiscent of a Ribera del Duero, lots of blackberry jelly, coconut and dark chocolate. Sublime palate, showing plenty of juice above the extract, very well balanced and with remarkable substance overall. The best Pagodes and already a standalone cru in its style. Like Cos, more of an everyday wine than Bordeaux.

A very vintage-typical blueberry nose, high alcohol content, a very “roasted” flavor yet more balanced than that of the grand vin, with better-integrated tannins. A great, original wine whose evolution we will follow with keen curiosity.

Seductive, charming attack; supple, charming mid-palate; a slight tannic firmness on the finish.

92-94 Barrel sample. Very rich, smooth tannins, super-ripe fruit dominate the wine. It has power, spice and sweetness, very ripe. Blackberry and dark chocolate

You can think of this as a scaled-down version of the stunning 2009 Grand Vin. Les Pagodes 2009 is at full-maturity, with smoked blackberries, spice, thyme and wet earthy nuances on the nose. Medium-bodied, soft, polished and silky, with loads of sweet, ripe, red fruits and freshness that glides over your palate. This is fully ready to go. No decanting needed. Just pop, pour and enjoy over the next 2-5 years.

The brilliant 2009 Les Pagodes de Cos actually has more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than the grand vin (69% versus 65%) in addition to mostly Merlot and a small quantity of Petit Verdot. As powerful as the Cos in terms of alcoholic clout (14.5%), the full-bodied, round, generous Les Pagodes de Cos exhibits lots of creme de cassis and floral notes intermixed with hints of wood/barrique and spice. Juicy, succulent and remarkably fresh and well-delineated, it merits considerable attention from consumers. It should drink well for 15-20 years. Oddly enough, the second wine is superior to many vintages of Cos in the 1960s 1970s and 1980s!

Spices, nutmeg, dark fruits on the nose, follow through to a full body, with very precise tannins and a long finish. A beautiful and racy wine. Second wine of Cos d'Estournel. Better in 2017.