Probably the best second wine ever made at Cos (although the 2009 should not be discounted), the 2010 Les Pagodes de Cos is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot finishing at 14% natural alcohol. This wine exhibits beautiful, silky tannins as well as sweet, rich mulberry and black currant fruit with hints of spring flowers, licorice and subtle toast. A full-bodied, opulent and -ideal- second wine, most people who have tasted it would probably agree that it is actually better than many vintages of Cos d-Estournel from the 1960s and 1970s. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. Drink: 2013 - 2028

These are two terrific wines from Cos d'Estournel. Proprietor Michel Reybier will have to continue his great success over the next decade without his top lieutenant, Jean-Guillaume Prats, who has taken another job, but the estate seems to be in superlative condition, and at the very top of its game.
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #205 Feb 2013

(90-93 pts)
2010 Les Pagodes de Cos: Possibly the finest Pagodes the estate has produced, as Jean-Guillaume Prats said, this 2010 is better than many vintages of Cos d'Estournel produced in the sixties and seventies. Forty-five percent of the production made it into this blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot that achieved 14.1% alcohol naturally. Plump and fat with an abundant concentration of black fruits as well as outstanding intensity, purity and texture, this beauty should drink well for 10-15 years.

This is sleek along the edges and dense in the middle, with ample crushed cherry, red currant and melted red licorice notes. A bright floral edge chimes in on the long finish. An impressive second wine. A little more Merlot than usual (62 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 38 percent Merlot). Tasted non-blind. —J.M.

Love the nose to this wine, with spices and berries and currants. Full and very refined with super silky tannins and a long long finish. So refined.

The Pagodes 2010 has a broody nose, biding its time in the glass, unfurling to reveal notes of blackcurrant pastilles, cedar, pine and a touch of graphite. Like Montrose, there is a Pauillac-like tincture to this wine. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, a gentle but insistent grip on the entry. Hints of Christmas cake and dates combine nicely with the crisp, fresh blackberry finish. This is an accomplished Pagodes that should drink well over the following ten years. Tasted November 2012.

(91-93 pts)
Picked between 27th September and 10th October, the Pagodes is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot delivering 14.13% alcohol with a pH of 3.51. The Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the nose with blackberry, pencil shavings, a touch of plum and fine minerality. The palate has great tension on the entry with a citric freshness, very good weight and yet it glides through to a harmonious finish. This is a lovely Pagodes. Drink 2012- Tasted March 2011.

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Les Pagodes de Cos gives up a nose of baked blackberries, prunes and blackcurrant cordial with hints of powdered cinnamon, smoked meats and eucalyptus plus a touch of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers just enough fruit to fill the structure with bold freshness and a firm, chewy texture, finishing on a stewed tea note.

St Estèphe (45% harvest, 38hl/ha, 14.1%) [62CS/38M] Somewhat closed, but clearly very mineral behind a soft, ripe, fragrant fruit; very nicely balanced, finely concentrated, fresh and supple textured wine with a notably fine, if firm tannin; deliciously fresh, sweet, pure almost transparently fine ripe fruit, gentle complexity, considerable finesse for Pagodes, long and fragrant and refined, and with excellent perfumed fruit persistence. A superb second wine. 2020-35+ [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2011]

38% Merlot in the blend. Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Sweetly oaky/spiced nose. Fragrant and ripe at the same time. Chewy, very sweet fruited, like black plum, and yet nicely fresh on the finish, the tannins polished even if they are still chewy. (JH)

62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot. Not very open-knit – has a certain lightness and simplicity that doesn’t seem in line with the cost. Very dark fruit. (RH)