2021 Les Pagodes de Cos (St-Estephe)

Impressively rich and concentrated for a second wine in this vintage, the 2021 Les Pagodes de Cos delivers notes of raspberries, spiced plums and violets, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and salted palate framed by ripe tannins and lively acids. 90-92 points

The 2021 Les Pagodes de Cos, matured in 25% new oak, offers high-toned black fruit and touches of violet on the nose, which is perhaps just missing some amplitude at the moment. The solid palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the entry, a touch of graphite and white pepper, firm grip and a little spice on the finish. A structured Pagodes, just rather forceful at the moment. It should gain more grace during élevage. 89-91 points

The 2021 Les Pagodes de Cos is a gorgeous second wine. Blackberry, gravel, spice, menthol and licorice all run through the 2021, a wine that is marked by notable freshness and bright acids. Beams of supporting tannin give the wine its energy. There is plenty of Merlot-driven richness, but I suspect the 2021 will need a few years to come together. It is far from an easygoing second wine, that much is pretty clear. 91-94 points

Visually the texture is attractive, supple, inviting. This is different to the character than you have found in Pagodes over recent years, the acidity is clearly more present through the tannins, which appear at the front of the mouth. But there are plenty of vivid blue fruits, together with bitter chocolate character, this is classically balanced, enjoyable, old school, successful in the vintage and suggests again that St Estèphe is a high spot in 2021, because so few 2nd wines have performed this well. 30% new oak, harvst September 23 to October 7. 90 points