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Chateau Cos d'Estournel is a Grand Cru vineyard located in St. Estephe. Its oriental facade is adorned with three pagoda turrets, all cast in a soft golden sandstone. Chateau Cos d'Estournel today covers 170 acres separated from Chateau Lafite, along the southern edge, by the stream between St. Estephe and Pauillac. The gravelly soil, over a flint, limestone and silicate subsoil low in nitrogen, has eroded over centuries to form steep ridges which perfectly drain the vineyards. The vineyards are planted 60 percent in Cabernet Sauvignon vines, 2 percent of Cabernet Franc, and 38 percent in Merlot. Naturally, the percentage of Cabernet or Merlot in the composition of each vintage depends on the climate which favors one grape variety or the other.
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.
The 2009 vintage starts out soft and seductive on the palate, going on to show magnificently well-defined flavors 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.
94 points, 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!"
Producer: Château Cos d'Estournel
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Appellation: Saint-Estèphe
Vintage: 2009
Size: 750ml
