PAGODES DE COS

The 2023 Les Pagodes de Cos makes a strong statement out of the gate. A blast of intense dark fruit, leather, spice, menthol, game, licorice, dried herbs and chocolate infuses the palate with remarkable textural intensity. Ample and resonant in the glass, with fabulous balance, Les Pagodes is exceptionally fine in 2023. The long, sustained finish is a thing of beauty. Drinking range: 2027 - 2043 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

The blend is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 2% each Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, a typical blend for this wine. This takes 47% of the crop. Compared to G d’Estournel (tasted alongside) this leads with more fruit on the nose, with dark chocolate, dried cherry, fresh blackcurrant and white peach notes. The palate is polished, showing a very nice texture, taut and sinewy but not deficient, holding up very nicely in the midpalate, with no falling off of substance, the dark fruits of the nose here wrapped in powdery tannins. It finishes with a fine grip. A really attractive Pagodes; this vintages suits the Cos style I think. The alcohol on analysis is 12.9%. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

The polished and creamy texture here is extremely attractive, with blueberry, blackcurrant and crushed-stone aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with linear tannins, showing polish and finesse. Creamy mouth-feel. Second wine of Cos. 12.9% alcohol. 51% cabernet sauvignon, 45% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)