94pts Jeb Dunnuck

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.

94pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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! 

94pts Wine Enthusiast

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

93pts James Suckling

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.

91pts Vinous

The 2009 Les Pagodes de Cos takes a few swirls of the glass to unfurl, perhaps never quite clicking into fifth gear. Tobacco-stained black fruit, briary and woodland scents eventually emerge; with decanting I suspect this would transmute into an attractive bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, quite symmetrical and extremely well balanced. It is not the most powerful or complex northern Médoc and yet there is surfeit elegant and poise. Enjoy this now and over the next decade. Perversely, I prefer this to the Grand Vin!

91pts Wine Spectator

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.

Tasting Notes

The 2009 vintage starts out soft and seductive on the palate, going on to show magnificently well-defined flavours of wild berries, blackcurrant, and cinnamon. A real treat! The tannins have softened and the wine now has a beautiful satin texture. There is a subtle, underlying warmth that makes it rise far above its supposed rank in the Médoc hierarchy. In fact, 2009 Pagodes de Cos is on a par with numerous grands vins. It is clearly an outstanding, generous, perfectly ripe wine with sumptuous finesse.

About the Wine

Pagodes de Cos will develop complex aromas that will vary according to the characteristics of each vintage and evolve with time. Proper service will allow these qualities to express themselves completely.

The youngest vintages—those produced after 2010—should be decanted at least one hour before tasting. Aeration will help bring the spirit and passion of each wine into focus, so its potential can be fully revealed.
We recommend opening vintages produced prior to 2010 about one hour before serving, without decantation, so their aromas may be released gently.

We recommend serving wines between 15°C and 16°C. As they continue to warm up in the glass, they will release their full palette of aromas and reveal their most subtle, delicate nuances.

Winery Notes

Château Cos d’Estournel, located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux’s Médoc region, was founded in 1811 by Louis Gaspard d’Estournel. Known as the “Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe” for his fascination with the exotic and his bold export ventures, d’Estournel built the estate’s distinctive oriental-inspired château, which remains one of Bordeaux’s most recognizable landmarks. His dedication to quality and innovation helped establish Cos d’Estournel as one of the leading producers of the Left Bank, and in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification it was ranked a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru).

Today, the estate is owned by entrepreneur Michel Reybier, who acquired it in 2000 and has since modernized both the vineyards and the winemaking facilities while maintaining its traditional elegance. Cos d’Estournel is celebrated for its powerful yet refined style, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot for balance, and consistently ranks among the top wines of Bordeaux. Its second wine, Les Pagodes de Cos, and the white wine, Cos d’Estournel Blanc, further showcase the estate’s pursuit of precision and excellence.

Blend: 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 1% Petite Verdot