Pagodes de cos Blanc 2023

It is no secret that Les Pagodes de Cos Blanc is one of the best value white wines from Bordeaux.  This serine and floral second wine from the storied Second Growth estate Cos d’Estournel should be in any bargain-conscious oenophile’s repertoire.  With plenty of floral and citrus aromas, Les Pagodes de Cos Blanc is a unique offering from the Left Bank appellation of Saint-Estèphe.  Though this portion of the Médoc is known for crafting powerful, energetic red wines, Pagodes de Cos Blanc is a delightfully crisp, playful alternative.

Cos d’Estournel has a long and rich history that is unique among the many estates on the Left Bank.  The exotic, pagoda-like architecture is striking and conjures up images of distant lands in the mind’s eye.  The unconventional is embraced here, and it serves this renegade Second Growth well.  The property’s origins begin with one man – Louis Gaspard d’Estournel.  His love of Cos d’Estournel bordered upon an obsession, and he would frequently drive himself into debt snapping up as many parcels of land around him as he could.  He expanded the vineyard holdings from 14 to 45 hectares within his lifetime. Louis was a foreword-thinking man with an entrepreneurial spirit.  He did not participate in the negociantsystem and spent the majority of his time shipping his wines to foreign countries like India.  Since his wines were so concentrated and powerful, they often arrived in fantastic condition.  Louis Gaspard d’Estournel was one of the first Bordeaux winemakers to cater to the global marketplace, earning him the title, The Maharaja of St-Estèphe.  Unfortunately, he passed away before he could bear witness to Château Cos d’Estournel being classified as a Second Growth. 
 
The property is currently managed by hospitality mogul, Michel Reybeir, who shares the same passion for the estate as his esteemed predecessor.  Quality of the wine has never been better.  Though Pagodes de Cos Blanc is a newer addition to the wines of Cos d’Estournel, it is a worthy choice for white wine lovers. The viticultural team at Cos d’Estournal has sixteen years of experience in crafting white wine and brings the same rigorous attention and know-how to the table.  A combination of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon go into the final blend and the oldest vines are 36 years old, making them worthy additions to this exciting second wine.  The grapes are vinified in a gravity flow winery to preserve the softness and freshness of the wine.
The personality of Pagodes de Cos Blanc is full of contradictions, which makes it so captivating.  Pagodes de Cos Blanc is a mixture of steely, citrus intensity coupled with delicate and tranquil floral qualities.   There is an unbridled elegance to this wine.  One can expect aromas of citrus fruits, white florals, and even aromas of the tropics.  Pagodes de Cos Blanc is a beautifully integrated, friendly wine and among one of the favorites of the team at Laguna Cellar.  We can assure you, once you discover Pagodes de Cos Blanc, you’ll feel the same way.

"Mostly Sauvignon but with 20% Semillon, the 2023 Pagodes De Cos Blanc has a lovely Sauvignon character with its ripe citrus, juicy grapefruit, mint, and a kiss of chalky minerality. It's balanced, medium-bodied, has racy acidity, and incredible purity." - Jeb Dunnuck, Bordeaux 2023 En Primeur (05/08/2024), Ratings: 92-94

"Spiced saffron and white peach, slate grip and rise through the palate, plenty of freshness and juicy citrus, great energy. Harvest September 5 to 15 harvest, 7% new oak. 10ha of white for the Estournel wines, 18 years on from its first vintage in 2005." - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, (04/15/2024), Ratings: 92, Drink: 2024-2034