Chateau Cos d'Estournel 2021 'Les Pagodes de Cos

Château Cos d’Estournel Les Pagodes de Cos 2021 is the distinguished second wine from one of Bordeaux’s most iconic estates in Saint-Estèphe, crafted with many of the same principles as the Grand Vin but designed for earlier accessibility and drinkability. Sourced from well-tended vineyards—including younger vines and carefully selected lots not chosen for the first wine—the blend is approximately 60% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The grapes are hand-harvested, sorted, and vinified with precision to capture purity of fruit and structure. After primary fermentation in stainless steel or temperature-controlled tanks, the wine sees careful maturation in French oak barrels (often around 30–40% new oak) for close to a year, which adds subtle spice and texture without overwhelming the wine’s innate Bordeaux character. This combination yields a second wine that is rich and defined, with freshness and depth typical of the 2021 vintage.

Tasting Notes:
The 2021 Les Pagodes de Cos offers an inviting and complex aromatic profile, with expressive dark fruit character—cassis, blackberry, and redcurrant—interwoven with notes of spice, tobacco, cedar, and subtle earthy or saline hints. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied with a velvety texture and ripe, integrated tannins, delivering flavors of dark berries, plum, dark chocolate and gentle cigar box nuances. Bright acidity lifts the fruit, while a fine mineral essence and spice carry through to a long, refined finish that bridges classic Saint-Estèphe structure with accessible early appeal.