Les Pagodes de Cos

Profile

In the glass

Aroma: dark berries, cassis, subtle spice, light incense, cedar

Palate: dark plum, blackcurrant, smooth tannins, mineral finish, fresh acidity

Second wine of Cos d'Estournel since 1994; previously sold as Marbuzet. Shows a more Merlot-forward profile than the grand vin, with the estate's distinctive spice character in a more accessible format.

What it pairs with

• Lamb tagine with apricots and preserved lemon The wine's soft spice tones and dark fruit echo North African aromatics; lamb is the natural partner.More wines for lamb →
• Duck breast with plum sauce Plum notes in the wine mirror the sauce; duck fat is balanced by firm structure.More wines for duck breast →
• Mushroom tart with thyme Earthy mushroom and herbs connect with the wine's mineral and cedar register.More wines for mushrooms and truffles →

With cheese

Ossau-Iraty Our pick These Saint-Estèphe reds are Cabernet Sauvignon-led, full-bodied, with firm tannin, high acidity and blackcurrant fruit. INAO describes the cheese as firm and melting, salted without excess. Its syndicate suggests structured reds, naming South-West ones such as Madiran.

How to serve Les Pagodes de Cos

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Lamb tagine with apricots and preserved lemon, Duck breast with plum sauce, Mushroom tart with thyme. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

The second wine of Cos d'Estournel was originally sold as Marbuzet. With the 1994 vintage it was rebranded as Les Pagodes de Cos, named after the estate's signature pagoda-adorned chai. The wine is made from 40-year-old vines not selected for the grand vin.

1. 1994Rebranded from Marbuzet to Les Pagodes de Cos with this vintage

Facts

Producer

Chateau Cos d'Estournel · visiting guide

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon (51%), Merlot (45%), Cabernet Franc (2%), Petit Verdot (2%)

Classification

Saint-Estephe AOC

Oak

40% new French oak barriques

ABV

13.5%

Price

$40-70 at retail

Drinking window

5-20 from vintage

First vintage

1994

Organic

ECOCERT

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