The Pagodas of Cos - Castle Cos d'Estournel - Saint-Estèphe 2014

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017

The intensity of plums, spices, mushrooms and black truffles is very impressive. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a savory finish. Delicious second wine already. Better in 2020.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/9/2017

Shows good flesh, with a core of plum, raspberry and blackberry paste flavors, underscored by racier pebble and savory notes. Delivers briary energy throughout. Best from 2018 through 2028.

Vinous

92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

The 2014 Les Pagodes de Cos is racy and voluptuous from the outset. Dark stone fruit, chocolate, menthol, licorice and dark spices run through this succulent, textured Saint-Estèphe. The interplay of dense flavors from the dehydration of fruit by warm days and anticyclonic winds resulted in an unusually opulent second wine, made in a flamboyant, exotic style that is found in some wines of the northern Médoc in 2014.

Le Point

15 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Légèrement réducteur, s’ouvre sur la mûre, bouche souple, ronde, bien fruitée, fruits noirs, épices, droit, note poivrée en finale, souple et fruitée. 

Vinous

89-91 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

The 2014 Les Pagodes de Cos is supple and inviting. Black plums, chocolate, mocha, smoke and licorice are all expressive in this distinctly dark, ripe second wine from Cos d'Estournel. The 2014 is 55% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot, but it is the Merlot that feels quite ripe and seems to convey a feeling of heaviness at times. Stylistically, Pagodes is a lot more forward than Cos, while the impression of ripeness is also more accentuated. Overall, this is a pretty big second wine from the property.

The Wine Cellar Insider

87-89 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

Smoke, licorice, flowers and sweet black cherries on the nose, this wine is soft, forward, sweet and easy drinking. 87-89 Pts

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Les Pagodes de Cos 2014 is a blend of 43% Merlot, 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot, a selection from the vineyard according to age of vine and the soil. Matured in 50% new oak, it has a clean and precise bouquet, a veneer of blackberry and wild strawberry fruit intermixed with cedar and graphite, the latter becoming more pronounced with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky smooth entry, well-judged acidity with veins of tobacco and allspice emerging toward the finish that gently fans out. There is already a pleasant freshness in situ that I hope will be retained by the time it is in bottle. Very fine.

Bettane & Desseauve

90 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2015

Denseetpuissant…maisilyaduvolume.

Asian Palate

91 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

A beautifully composed Pagodes with balance, elegance and lovely dark berry fruit. Palate offers supple tannins and blackberry with violets on the finish. Love the freshness in this wine with supple texture and round tannins. Dry winds in September caused berries to lose water so the bunch and berry size were normal, not bigger than average.

Decanter.com

17,25 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

Fine floral fruit – a touch of Pauillac elegance. Quite fleshy and well-structured with a real sense of place. Attractive yet serious. Drink: 2018-2028 (90+)

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2015

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. 80% of a certain vineyard supplemented by other less successful plots. 50% new oak. 
Dark crimson. Very sweet and charming. A mineral streak and some real freshness too. Not remotely meagre. Very forward and very ripe – St-Estèphe style. Gorgeous already. 

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

Another refined 2014 with super fine tannins, beautiful fruit and impressive balance. Medium body, bright acidity and a clean finish. Solid core of fruit. Second wine of Cos.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Wunderschöne Holundernoten, Joschtabeeren, Rauchnuancen und Lakritze, dunkle Edelhölzer, floraler Schimmer im zweiten Ansatz. Im Gaumen sind die Tannine so fein, dass diese fast geschliffen wirken, sehr lange ausgerichtet und jetzt schon unglaublich harmonisch. Wird früh schon sehr viel Freude bereiten und ist wohl einer der besten Zweitweine überhaupt. 17/20 2018 – 2030

Wine Enthusiast

94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

93–95. Barrel Sample. This is a ripe, smoky wine, with solid, complex tannins. It has concentration and richness while always holding back from being too explosive. The finish is firm, just lifted by ample acidity.