Pagodes de Cos - Saint-Estèphe 2022

Alexandre Ma

90

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

The 2022 vintage features only 20% new oak, yet it is infused with an abundance of spice aromas. Perhaps due to the dry, hot weather, the tannins in this vintage remain rather firm, lacking some of the softness I was expecting. However, when compared to other second wines from Saint-Estèphe, the overall balance of this wine is still impressive. It may feel a bit powerful when young, but with 3-5 years of aging, it is likely to show greater finesse.

Wine Advocate

90

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

Aromas of crème de cassis, blackberries and cigar wrapper introduce the 2022 Les Pagodes de Cos, a full-bodied, rich and enveloping wine with a broad attack, lively acids and a firm, chewy finish. Like the grand vin, this is quite muscular and extracted in style, but it retains good balance.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Inky colour and high spice, turmeric, cloves, white pepper, blueberry, easy to enjoy with great balance provided by bitter rosemary and fennel. Harvest September 7 to 23. Earliest since 1989. 20% new oak for ageing 3.79ph. Dominique Arangoïts technical director, Eric Boissenot consultant.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Pagodes de Cos, Les

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

Close to equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (there's a splash of Petit Verdot), the 2022 Pagodes De Cos sports a dense purple hue as well as a rocking nose of currants, blueberries, tobacco, and sweet oak. This rich, full-bodied, opulent second wine has plenty of mid-palate depth, a fleshy, sexy mouthfeel, and a great finish.

Vinous

91

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Les Pagodes de Cos has impressive purity and lift on the nose, with hints of black cherry, violet and peony—aromatics that you might describe as "sleek." The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins. It's as fine-boned as it seemed in barrel but perhaps just a little more powdery in texture on the finish than I remember. Fine.

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Green mango and papaya as well as limes on the nose follow through to a full body with lovely density and hints of phenolics that give it tension. Then there’s bright acidity at the end. Super second wine. Grapefruit. A blend of 90% sauvignon blanc and 10% semillon. Drink or hold.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Les Pagodes de Cos is an elegant, sophisticated wine, notwithstanding its natural textural richness. Black cherry, licorice, leather, incense, chocolate and espresso all saturate the palate. Even with all of its intensity and volume, the 2022 has just enough freshness to keep things somewhat in check. This is a very serious second wine, if that term can even be used.

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe6/30/2023

The 2022 Les Pagodes de Cos represents one-third of this year's volume and is matured in 20% new oak. It has a sensual bouquet with ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit. It's delineated and focused but is clearly a Deuxième Vin requiring some bottle age. The palate is well-defined with fine-boned tannins, fresh, vibrant and cohesive with a tensile, slightly peppery finish that lingers long in the mouth. This seems to grow in the glass.

Decanter.com

94

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Strong and heady nose, so aromatically expressive, smells quite potent. Supple and agile, generous and friendly, juicy and sweet with a sour tang and clean stoney texture. The tannins are super fine but supportive and softly gripping in al the right places. Sensuous, but fun - so much personality and style. I love the sweet core, the brightness and vibrancy. Electric but there’s depth and concentration too with a stony undercurrent that puts you squarely in St-Estephe. Absolutely stunning - a top buy! 3.05 total acidity. 3.72pH. 83 IPT. 1% Cabernet Franc completes the blend.

Vinous

91-93

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Les Pagodes de Cos represents one-third of this year's volume and is matured in 20% new oak. It has a sensual bouquet with ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit. It's delineated and focused but is clearly a Deuxième Vin requiring some bottle age. The palate is well-defined with fine-boned tannins, fresh, vibrant and cohesive with a tensile, slightly peppery finish that lingers long in the mouth. This seems to grow in the glass.

The Vintage Journal

95-96

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Deep colour. Liquorice blackberry dark chocolate, leafy aromas. Inky deep and generous, with ample blackberry, chocolaty chinotto flavours, fine bitter/slinky textures and persistent mineral acidity. Finishes cedar firm with spicy notes. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc 14.98% alc

matthewjukes.com

18

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

90-92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 Pagodes de Cos, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It charges out with energetic notes of crushed blackberries, blackcurrant pastilles, and juicy black plums, giving way to notions of pencil shavings, tapenade, lavender, and cracked black pepper. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright and refreshing, deliver a solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and minerally.

Yvesbeck.wine

95-96

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Il y des vins qui se positionnent d'entrée et qui n'ont pas peur de précéder ou de défier leur grand frère, respectivement le premier vin. C'est le cas de Cos dont le bouquet s'annonce avec intensité et pertinence. la fraîcheur des baies rouges et de la menthe poivrée annoncent la couleur et son complétées par des nuances minérales. En bouche le vin est compact, serein, frais et harmonieux. Il dispose de tannins d'une grande finesse qui offrent une merveilleuse assise à l'ensemble du palais. Ils se révèlent en crescendo pour bien appuyer la fin de bouche qui est également plébiscitée par la fraîcheur aromatique. Finale crayeuse, juteuse, légèrement saline. Un ouvreur de piste qui a pour ambition de signer le meilleur chrono.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

The 2022 Pagodes De Cos is head-turning good, and it’s going to challenge the 2009 as the greatest vintage for this cuvée to date. Based on 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, this huge, opulent, full-bodied beauty has terrific purity in its cassis and blueberry fruits as well as notes of graphite, scorched earth, and tobacco. With sweet tannins, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and a gorgeous finish, this is an incredible second wine that readers will love.

Vinous

92-94

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Pagodes d’Estournel is a very sexy wine. Rich, ample and engaging, the 2022 makes a very strong opening impression. Black cherry, plum, licorice, spice and chocolate are front and center. This flashy, radiant Saint-Estèphe is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Firm, chocolatey tannins sustain the finish. Drinking window : 2026-2037

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Black fruits, flowers, smoke, espresso, licorice, and black raspberries blend together in the perfume. On the palate, there are layers of sweet, black raspberries coated with cocoa, licorice, and a touch of orange citrus that shows up on the very end of the finish, giving you extra levels of freshness. This is gong to be delicious if tasted early and it will age well too. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV, 3.72 pH. Drink from 2025-2040.

Wine Advocate

89-91

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

Aromas of rich berries, plums, spices and pencil shavings introduce the 2022 Les Pagodes de Cos, a medium to full-bodied, rich and muscular wine that's fleshy and extracted while remaining somewhat fresh and vibrant.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

This is impressive, big and very structured at the beginning, but then it opens and spreads out with ultra-fine tannins that caress the palate. Really opens at the end and finds its weightless state. Serious. 50% cabernet sauvignon and 49% merlot, 1% cabernet franc.