Pagodes de Cos 2020

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. 12,000 cases made, 1,800 cases imported.

A vintage that marks 20 years since the arrival of Reybier, and it’s an excellent example of the success of Cos under his ownership. Here you get a creamier quality to the fruit than some of the older vintages in the lineup, with blackberry pastille, raspberry puree, careful extraction, finessed tannins, black tea and liquorice. Still young but hovering on the brink of being ready to be opened and shared. Always worth noting with 2020 wines that this was also the Covid vintage so difficult in terms of manpower but the team had plenty of time to concentrate on their vineyards – made easier by the fact that each team member at Cos always has their own plot to work on. Harvest September 10 to 24, Dominique Arangoïts technical director, Eric Boissenot consultant, 20% new oak for ageing.

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.

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.

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Darker-fruited and more savoury than the Marquis de Calon. Peppery/spicy oak. Lifted and very fresh on the palate, relatively light but balanced. Finely dry tannins, juicy finish. 

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.

RIpe dark fruits on the nose, smells fleshy with liquorice, tobacco, dried herb and dark chocolate flecks. Smooth and sleek on the palate, gorgeous texture and weight in the mouth. Grippy and mouthfilling with powdery tannins that gently support the rich fruit profile. A bold, confident wine with chew and flesh and lots of appeal. One for sooner drinking to enjoy the youthful opulence but will age too.

The 2020 Les Pagodes de Cos is fleshy and dramatic, bursting with aromas of crème de cassis, lilac, spices and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and textural, it's an unctuous, ripe, modern-styled red that will drink well young.