Pagodes de Cos 2009

Tasting Notes and Serving Tips for Pagodes de Cos 2009 from Château Cos d'Estournel

Tasting

Color

The color displays a deep ruby red hue with intense purple highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals aromas of smoky blackberries and ripe blackcurrant, accompanied by floral notes of violet and white flowers. Spicy touches of nutmeg and cinnamon mingle with nuances of tobacco, cedar and graphite, bringing complexity and refinement.

Palate

On the palate, this wine captivates with its elegance and silky texture. The palate reveals concentrated flavors of dark fruits, raspberries and blackcurrant, carried by ripe, perfectly integrated tannins. The ensemble offers lovely richness and remarkable harmony, extending into a lingering finish with notes of dark chocolate, spice and licorice.

Food and Wine Pairing

This wine is an ideal match for grilled or roasted red meats, herb-crusted lamb, roast duck, as well as mushroom-based dishes. It also pairs beautifully with game and certain Asian dishes featuring rich, spicy sauces.

Serving and Cellaring

Pagodes de Cos 2009 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Opening the bottle one to two hours before serving allows the wine to fully express itself. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2029.

An exceptional second wine from Saint-Estèphe

The estate

Located in the northern Médoc, on the hill of Saint-Estèphe, the Château Cos d’Estournel rises majestically. Like a true Maharajah’s palace, the château and its pagodas surprise and captivate the eye. In 1791, Louis-Gaspard d’Estournel inherited hectares of vines and had the estate built. An adventurer who traveled the world, his taste for exoticism and the Orient would give Château Cos d’Estournel its distinctive architecture in the Médoc. Owned by Michel Reybier since 2000, Château Cos d’Estournel continues to shine within the Saint-Estèphe appellation and ranks among the world’s greatest wines, distinguished by a unique style in which the pursuit of beauty and excellence is a constant quest.

The vineyard

Pagodes de Cos comes from parcels located in Saint-Estèphe, on the famous Cos rise overlooking the Gironde estuary. The terroir is made up of deep Quaternary gravel resting on a clay and limestone base. The vines, averaging 40 years of age, benefit from optimal exposure and remarkable natural drainage. The vineyard is managed with the same care as the grand vin, with grass cover to regulate vine vigor and hand harvesting.

The vintage

The 2009 vintage is among the greatest in the history of Bordeaux. The year was marked by exceptional sunshine and high temperatures, moderated by significant variations between day and night. These conditions allowed the grapes to reach remarkable phenolic ripeness while preserving freshness and balance. Harvest took place from September 26 to October 10 in ideal conditions.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Pagodes de Cos 2009 are vinified with the same rigor as the grand vin. After meticulous sorting, vinification is carried out by gravity in the modern vat room inaugurated in 2008. Pump-overs are performed gently to preserve the finesse of the fruit. Aging takes place for around 12 months in French oak barrels, 40% new oak, adding structure and complexity without masking the expression of the terroir.

Grape varieties

Cabernet sauvignon (69 %)
Merlot (30 %)
Petit verdot (1 %)