Cos d'Estournel St-Estèphe Les Pagodes de Cos 2020

94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Clearly the standout in the lineup, the 2020 Pagodes De Cos is deep ruby-purple in hue and offers a Grand Vin-like perfume of cassis, spicy oak, tobacco, and scorched earth. Medium to full-bodied, it’s pure and elegant on the palate, with ripe tannins, a seamless texture, and beautiful overall balance. The blend is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, and it should evolve gracefully over the coming 15+ years. Drink: 2025-2045. (Jun 2025)"

94 points Raffaela Vecchione (WinesCritic.com): "Fresh and floral showing notes of hibiscus, guaranà and pomegranate. Green mandarin and bergamot describe the secondary scene augmenting the complexity. Full bodied, very soft tannins and a tasty finale with a more horizontal than vertical profile. Better from 2025. (Feb 2023)"

93 points (Winedoctor): "This has a delightfully open, floral and minerally aromatic profile, with wafting notes of perfumed chalk, fragrant hedgerow berries, crushed white gravel and white freesias. The palate is tightly controlled, savoury and dry, with a gently polished, supple and seamless texture wrapped within a narrow ribbon of tightly integrated tannins. It has a peppery sense of energy, but the overarching impression is one of fresh and composed harmony. Indeed, so perfectly integrated are the various components that it feels approachable now, although there is a simmering tannic grip which means I would favour waiting five or preferably ten years before you pull the cork. You won’t regret it if you do. The élevage here was in 30% new oak, for 12 months, and the alcohol is 13.28%. It took about half the estate’s crop in this vintage, as did the grand vin. (Dec 2022)"

93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "Silky, velvety texture, with lovely bright acidities that lift and carry the raspberry and damson fruits. Great stuff, spiced turmeric and saffron notes, black tea and liqourice root. Fine tannins but there are plenty of them, and this will continue to improve over the next few years in bottle. Drink 2026-2038 (Jan 2023)"

93 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Spicy, smoky, currants, espresso, flower and licorice create the perfume. On the palate. the medium-bodied, soft, plush and polished wine is almost ready to go. And that's a good thing because you are going to want to dig into all of its layers of ripe, fresh, creamy, lush dark red fruits and their spicy, chocolate edge. For a second wine, this is a fabulous effort. Drink this young while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2023-2038. (Mar 2023)"

93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2020 Les Pagodes de Cos is dark, sumptuous and super-expressive. There is an element of mystery to the 2020, it’s a wine that is not ready to show all of its charms just yet. Ripe dark cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, tobacco, incense and dried herbs all build nicely in a Pagodes that balances fruit richness and energy. Drink: 2024-2035. (Feb 2023)"

93 points James Suckling: "Spicy redcurrants with dark chocolate, as well as bark and black tea on the nose. Full-bodied with firm and fine tannins that are nicely velvet in texture. Delicious and savory finish. Needs four or five years to come together. Try after 2026. (3/31/23)"

93 points Falstaff Guide: "Dark ruby, purple reflections, a soft brightening on the rim. Subtle notes of fresh herbs, dark wild berries, some nougat, fine savoury notes. Juicy, elegant, ripe cherries, a fresh acidity, integrated tannins, mineral and long lasting, a fine savoury, fresh food companion with ageing potential. (Feb 2023)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "An enticing style, with sparkles of anise and black tea adding nuance to a core of lushly textured loganberry and mulberry fruit. Reveals a light kiss of incense on the open-knit finish. A crowd-pleaser for mid-term drinking. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2034. (3/31/23)"

92 points Wine Enthusiast: "This second wine is complex and structured. At same time, it has the proper openness and precocity of a second wine. Likely to age smoothly, the wine will be ready from 2026. (Apr 2023)"

91 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2020 Pagodes de Cos is deep garnet-purple in color. Notions of plum preserves, black cherries, and fruitcake spring from the glass, followed by hints of Chinese five spice and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound, with great freshness and fine grained tannins, finishing with a spicy kick. Drink: 2024-2040. (Mar 2023)"