2020 Cos d'Estournel Les Pagodes de Cos Saint-Estephe

The region of Saint-Estephe is known for cellar-worthy wines - and the 2020  Chateau Les Pagodes de Cos Saint-Estephe is no exception. Crafted with meticulous care,  this wine embodies the essence of excellence in the left bank Bordeaux region. And considering it is located about a mile from the  world-renowned Lafite Rothschild, you can feel that the air surrounding these wineries carries a sense of quality and distinction.

While Saint-Estephe shares the spotlight with esteemed neighbors like Pauillac and Saint-Julien, its uniqueness lies in its distinctive growing conditions. Positioned a bit further from the river, the soil of this area transitions from gravel to clay and limestone, resulting in  wines with heightened acidity and freshness from the long ripening period.

These conditions are a cornerstone behind this winery's success since its beginning. With a rich history dating back to its founding by Louis Gaspard d'Estournel in 1811, it was one of the  first wineries to stand out for its unconventional practices. It was one of the first wineries to bottle, label, and directly market its own wine, challenging the norms of traditional wine sales.

Since then, the winery has consistently surpassed expectations, building on its quality and taking its reputation to new heights. Its prestigious classification as a second growth in 1855  makes this most apparent. Known for its Cabernet-driven reds, the wines shine in their youth, but get even better as they age. The remarkable complexity and intensity that unfold over time make it well worth the wait.

Fast forward to 2020, Cos d'Estournel, now owned by Michel Reybier, is celebrated for its charm and take on modern-day drinking wines. A reviewer from The Wine Advocate stated that the wine is, “fleshy and dramatic, bursting with aromas of crème de cassis, lilac, spices and creamy new oak. It's an unctuous, ripe, modern-styled red that will drink well young.” This checks out considering the wine is a powerful blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.

2020 was a great year for Bordeaux. Vinous Media blessed this year with a 97-point review and said, "Two thousand-twenty is an exceptional vintage for Bordeaux, certainly the best in the 2018-2020 trilogy. Quality is very, very high."

Aging: 12 months in new oak barrels.