Pagodes de Cos, Château Cos d’Estournel Saint-Estèphe 2009

Saint-Estèphe 2009 69% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot 1% Petit Verdot Region: Bordeaux ESTATE HISTORY The history of Cos d’Estournel began in 1811 when its owner Louis Gaspard Lacoste of Maniban Marquis d’Estournel, after inheriting some vineyards near the village of Cos, decided to vinify them separately. The wine of Cos d’Estournel was born. Very quickly, the wine surpasses the most prestigious wines and is exported to India. In 1855 Cos d’Estournel reached the classification of 1855 as a second classified growth. All in all, five owners were at the head of Cos d’Estournel, the last of which is Michel REYBIER, who bought the château in 2000 and undertook many changes including a brand new barrel cellar, but above all, a 100% gravity winemaking cellar: a novelty in the region. Pagodes de Cos is the second wine of the Castle. It was named in reference to the two Pagodas of the Castle. TERROIR The vineyard of Cos now covers 91 hectares. On this terroir with meager gravels on its peaks and on the southern slopes, Cabernet Sauvignon (60% of the vineyard) find their soils of choice. While the Merlots (40% of the vineyard) are found on the eastern slopes and on the coasts where the limestone basement of Saint-Estèphe is coming up. VITICULTURE The estate practices precise parcel management, harvesting dedicated vineyard plots entirely by hand. Green harvesting and strict canopy control balance yields, while the team uses low-yield principles to ensure optimal grape maturity, uniform ripening, and smooth, polished tannins. WINEMAKING Stricky parcel-by-parcel vinification using temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve fresh aromatic precision. Fermentation and maceration were handled gently to extract refined, supple tannins rather than harsh astringency. After fermentation, the blend was aged for roughly twelve to fourteen months in French oak barrels, using approximately 50 percent new oak. This moderate barrel regime integrated rich toasted wood and spice notes while allowing the lush, natural dark fruit of the vintage to take center stage. TASTING & FOOD PAIRINGS Les Pagodes de Cos 2009 offers rich aromas of black fruit, cedar, and baking spice, delivering a full-bodied, velvety palate with a long finish. Pair it with grilled ribeye, rack of lamb, duck breast, or aged Comté cheese. Serve slightly cool with a brief decant.