2019 Pagodes de Cos, St-Estèphe
2019 Pagodes de Cos is released this morning, at around 13% below the 2018 price. This mini-trend for pricing reductions is all the more welcome because, as far as we can tell from our tastings so far, the quality in 2019 could we equal that of 2018.
As new cask samples arrive with us, we continue to find a freshness and balance which characterises the vintage. Tasting recent vintages of Pagodes de Cos gives a strong impression of really serious winemaking intent. At just £372 per dozen bottles in bond and with 92-94 points from Lisa Perotti-Brown, we think this is a wine you should be opening and enjoying on a regular basis.
Producer Profile
Château Cos d'Estournel, St-Estèphe Grand Cru Classé
Château Cos d'Estournel is a Deuxièmes Cru Classé in St-Estèphe, established in 1811 by Louis Gaspard d’Estournel, who also gave the estate its name. 'Cos' is a local dialect term for 'hill of pebbles'. D’Estournel kept his wines outside of the negociant system, with the result that they found a wider range of customers around the world than some comparable estates.
The wine was exported to India, leading to the East Indian design influence at the château, with its famous elephants which are so visible from the road as you approach. Cos was also one of the first estates to bottle and label their wines at the château. The 100 hectare estate is planted with a slightly higher proportion of Merlot than the norm for this commune, contributing to the rich mouthfeel and texture which is a hallmark of Cos.
In the early 1970s Cos came under the ownership of the Ginestet and Prats families and was run for many years, first by Bruno Prats and then his son Guillaume. Since 2000, Cos has been owned by entrepreneur Michel Reybier.
| RED | 2019 | Les Pagodes de Cos | 75cl | £186 per case of 6 | Les Pagodes de Cos 2019 / / 75cl £186 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2019 Les Pagodes de Cos (14.03% alcohol) is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, aging in 20% new barriques. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, notions of wild blueberries, boysenberries and redcurrant jelly come bounding out of the glass, followed by a profound core of warm cassis, licorice and bouquet garni with a touch of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts with bright, expressive black and red fruit flavors, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing on a lingering spicy note. 92-94 points." Lisa Perotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate "This is really minerally and salty with spices, such as cloves. Full-bodied, yet tight and beautiful. Chewy, yet focused and bright. Very integrated. Hard not to drink. 94-95 points." James Suckling |
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