Dark red with brownish hue; spices, sweetness, dark cherries; nicely rounded with well-integrated tannins, intense mid palate with a long intense aftertaste; really nice, think it is around its peak now
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My last bottle of this and first one since 2014. Found those two bottles sitting on the "clearance" shelf at ABC for $19.99 many moons ago. Definitely better now. This showed amazingly well in the blind tasting that Kerry and I hosted last night. Displayed its pedigree with aplomb. So beautifully balanced now, still showing just enough fruit, along with excellent depth, focus and structure. So very poised on its long, harmonious finish. Stood toe-to-toe with wines costing three-to-five times more. Definitely lived up to its reputation as an excellent second wine. 50+5+12+17+7=91
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Finally a good Pagodes. Had the 1999 this year and it was rather dead and devoid of fruit. The 2001 yesterday was corked. The 2004 on the other other hand was quite nice. Elegant and smooth on the palate with plenty of red fruit, herbs, some leafiness, and a little cigar. It seem in its early drinking window. I see similarities with the 2004 Grand Vin here, but the Cos d'Estournel has more personality, more oak, and more flamboyance. However, its a nice second wine.
A very pervading but interesting nose of slight leafiness, earthiness and a hint of sous bois. Palate was slightly savoury and fruity with tannins well integrated and fading into the background. The wine was ready to be drunk and while not fantastic, was surprisingly approachable and nice to drink. A good job by Cos in this second wine which was more elegant and subtle than big and bold. At it's peak - Drink up.
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Likely hitting its stride. Medium garnet color. A touch of brick at the rim. Opened initially with the typical earthy, mossy nose but opened over almost three hours later to reveal some vanilla and bright raspberry aromas. Some cherry, clove and pepper on the palate. Pretty typical St. Estephe. Not a terribly complex wine but drinking nicely.
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Medium garnet color. Earthy, mossy nose on opening bit after an hour, took on some lighter perfume like notes. Light, red fruit...strawberry, cherry on the palate with a touch of smoke and clay on the finish. This was OK but did not live up to expectations. I know 2004 in Bordeaux was nothing to write home about but the trade off was thought to be early accessibility. The '04's I have tasted have been somewhat flat and uninspiring. This among them.
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Very nice balance with accessible fruit from the get go. Didn't take many notes, didn't want to. Cherry, sweet pipe tobacco. Cool and fresh raspberry and nice dust. Spins on the palate. Still juicy and quite rich with fruit.
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Last bottle in my cellar. Bottle decanted for around 3 hours.. fruity nose, dark fruits on the palate... medium to full bodied.. smooth, very smooth.. in the drinking window.. quite balanced
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Picked this up several years ago on close-out for around $18. A "second wine" (though by a renowned chateau) from a lackluster vintage, so expectations were not high. An attractive, youthful-looking deep purple in color. Subtle aromas of leather, earth and spice on the nose. Full-bodied and surprisingly fruity for the vintage. Plenty of delicious blackberry and plum fruit, backed by a pleasant acidity. The finish is long and features an intense underlying minerality that is unmistakably St. Estephe. The tannins are beautifully integrated, yet remain slightly chewy. Very beautiful and well balanced. The pedigree here is quite evident. A very, very good second wine. 50+5+12+16+7=90
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Dark red in color. The nose is closed and I hardly recognise it. Black currant initially and red fruits afterward, with moderate tannins and short finish.
Quite approachable and I enjoy drinking it now. Not quite open up this time and a decanter may help.
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Drank a bottle of this with my wife a few nights ago. Didn't want to go with a BIG bordeaux so we picked this second wine from Cos D'estournel. I was happy with the nose right upon uncorking the bottle. My wife was in love with it at first sip and so we drank the bottle over the next 2 days. Very nice, earthy bordeaux tones. Very drinkable right now which is the way a second wine should be. A little pencil lead on the open, with leather, cedar and dark fruit in the middle. Acid, tannins and fruit all in balance right now. I highly recommend this wine especially at the price point.
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Some nice Old World Wines (St. Paul): Really drinking well tonight with dried herbs, minerals, chocolate and red fruits. A crowd favorite and should drink well for another five plus years. This is evolving in the right direction and at $20 a steal!
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Earthy dark fruit with hints of cocoa and some subtle vegetal notes in a full bodied format. Abit lacking in complexity and finish, but overall a very nice bottle of wine thats drinkIng well today. It needed several hours in the decanter.
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Picked this up on trip. Very much like a 2004, with a classic nose and palate. Stony nose with dried cherries. Palate was a touch stringent, although some solid red fruits were pulling through. Very solid acidity and good traditional finish. Great daily drinker from off vintage.
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Here was a nice surprise. This wine is pretty much ready to go based on this bottle - wonderfully balanced with resolved tannins and lush fruit that retains a nice richness without being chewey. Actually quite light in the mouth with restrained elegance and fine grained tannins. Very good.
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Deep ruby with high level of fruit, oak, and sweet spices, both on the nose and palate. Mature to drink right now, with sweet tannins and short finish. Lacks a bit of complexity.
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dark red. The nose is closed and not giving much. Medium weight. Moderate tannins, medium acidity. Finishes with tannins and some stem. Seems well balanced but it's just not very expressive. Give this more time. This has improved some the next day. The nose has opened up to reveal some cedar, tobacco, and green peppers. The palate is still light but well balanced.
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Upon opening ... very dark red, initial nose of very sour cherries with promises of a lot of tannins. A bit of cough mixture / syrup smell. Initial taste - light and not much there, quite disappointing. Will let it sit for an hour + to see if it improves. (initial score 84) 2 hrs later ... Gained some weight and smoothed out with air. The bit of heat on the nose has also subsided. Quite drinkable now ... IMO a bit early to drink, put it down for another couple of years is my recommendation. Score improved to 88
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apperance - dark ruby, full slow legs: nose - roasted earth cocoa, almost skunky, earthy plummy peppery fruit: palette - full and fleshy great length, needs time in bottle can't wait to try it in a couple of years.
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Decanted for 30 min. Spice and oak on the nose. Fruit was not not distinguishable. Not a chore to drink, but not spectacular. Definitely better second labels out there.
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Tasted from a half bottle, very dense, very concentrate, the tannins dominate the palate, still detect the fruit core, needs few years to settle! 2010-2016+
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3/21/2024 - Miceri Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dark red with brownish hue; spices, sweetness, dark cherries; nicely rounded with well-integrated tannins, intense mid palate with a long intense aftertaste; really nice, think it is around its peak now
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4/2/2019 - Bam_Man wrote: 91 Points
My last bottle of this and first one since 2014. Found those two bottles sitting on the "clearance" shelf at ABC for $19.99 many moons ago. Definitely better now. This showed amazingly well in the blind tasting that Kerry and I hosted last night. Displayed its pedigree with aplomb. So beautifully balanced now, still showing just enough fruit, along with excellent depth, focus and structure. So very poised on its long, harmonious finish. Stood toe-to-toe with wines costing three-to-five times more. Definitely lived up to its reputation as an excellent second wine.
50+5+12+17+7=91
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12/7/2017 - jvjp Likes this wine: 93 Points
Täyteläinen hieno maku, pitkä jälkimaku, huippuviini vieraille, jotka ovat viiniharrastajia
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8/6/2017 - Bordeaux_Jon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Finally a good Pagodes. Had the 1999 this year and it was rather dead and devoid of fruit. The 2001 yesterday was corked. The 2004 on the other other hand was quite nice. Elegant and smooth on the palate with plenty of red fruit, herbs, some leafiness, and a little cigar. It seem in its early drinking window. I see similarities with the 2004 Grand Vin here, but the Cos d'Estournel has more personality, more oak, and more flamboyance. However, its a nice second wine.
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12/17/2016 - Jchernoff wrote:
Fauntleroy's
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6/10/2016 - Wine_lvr wrote: 91 Points
What a surprise and almost outperforming its big brother Cos 2004!
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4/21/2016 - jvjp Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark colour and nice well rounded tannins. At the top now but still many many years to go.
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4/25/2015 - Nicholas81 wrote: 90 Points
A very pervading but interesting nose of slight leafiness, earthiness and a hint of sous bois. Palate was slightly savoury and fruity with tannins well integrated and fading into the background. The wine was ready to be drunk and while not fantastic, was surprisingly approachable and nice to drink. A good job by Cos in this second wine which was more elegant and subtle than big and bold. At it's peak - Drink up.
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2/1/2015 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 88 Points
Likely hitting its stride. Medium garnet color. A touch of brick at the rim. Opened initially with the typical earthy, mossy nose but opened over almost three hours later to reveal some vanilla and bright raspberry aromas. Some cherry, clove and pepper on the palate. Pretty typical St. Estephe. Not a terribly complex wine but drinking nicely.
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11/1/2014 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 88 Points
Medium garnet color. Earthy, mossy nose on opening bit after an hour, took on some lighter perfume like notes. Light, red fruit...strawberry, cherry on the palate with a touch of smoke and clay on the finish. This was OK but did not live up to expectations. I know 2004 in Bordeaux was nothing to write home about but the trade off was thought to be early accessibility. The '04's I have tasted have been somewhat flat and uninspiring. This among them.
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10/21/2014 - camben Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice balance with accessible fruit from the get go. Didn't take many notes, didn't want to. Cherry, sweet pipe tobacco. Cool and fresh raspberry and nice dust. Spins on the palate. Still juicy and quite rich with fruit.
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6/14/2014 - JChan wrote: 90 Points
Last bottle in my cellar. Bottle decanted for around 3 hours.. fruity nose, dark fruits on the palate... medium to full bodied.. smooth, very smooth.. in the drinking window.. quite balanced
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5/24/2014 - grapist wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured from Magnum. Unmistakably Bordeaux. Never a bad thing to be.
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4/8/2014 - Bam_Man Likes this wine: 90 Points
Picked this up several years ago on close-out for around $18. A "second wine" (though by a renowned chateau) from a lackluster vintage, so expectations were not high. An attractive, youthful-looking deep purple in color. Subtle aromas of leather, earth and spice on the nose. Full-bodied and surprisingly fruity for the vintage. Plenty of delicious blackberry and plum fruit, backed by a pleasant acidity. The finish is long and features an intense underlying minerality that is unmistakably St. Estephe. The tannins are beautifully integrated, yet remain slightly chewy. Very beautiful and well balanced. The pedigree here is quite evident. A very, very good second wine.
50+5+12+16+7=90
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1/11/2014 - epiphany Likes this wine: 89 Points
Earthy dark fruit, medium body with some good acidity, medium finish. Should go a few more years with some possible upside. Pretty nice for under $30.
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10/13/2013 - JChan wrote: 88 Points
Dark red to purple in color. Red and dark fruits dominate. Still tannin and short in finish.
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12/23/2012 - JChan Likes this wine: 89 Points
Drank at Winter Solstice Day with family.
Dark red in color. The nose is closed and I hardly recognise it. Black currant initially and red fruits afterward, with moderate tannins and short finish.
Quite approachable and I enjoy drinking it now. Not quite open up this time and a decanter may help.
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9/11/2012 - ifrflyer wrote: 92 Points
Drank a bottle of this with my wife a few nights ago. Didn't want to go with a BIG bordeaux so we picked this second wine from Cos D'estournel. I was happy with the nose right upon uncorking the bottle. My wife was in love with it at first sip and so we drank the bottle over the next 2 days. Very nice, earthy bordeaux tones. Very drinkable right now which is the way a second wine should be. A little pencil lead on the open, with leather, cedar and dark fruit in the middle. Acid, tannins and fruit all in balance right now. I highly recommend this wine especially at the price point.
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3/24/2012 - khmark7 wrote: 88 Points
A bit modern in style with dried fruit, but still drinking well and just fine without food. Consumed from a 375 ml without decant.
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3/11/2012 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 91 Points
Some nice Old World Wines (St. Paul): Really drinking well tonight with dried herbs, minerals, chocolate and red fruits. A crowd favorite and should drink well for another five plus years. This is evolving in the right direction and at $20 a steal!
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10/15/2011 - khmark7 wrote: 88 Points
Meaty with dry black fruits and minerals. Young vines? Drinking well now.
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8/28/2011 - mmcdds wrote: 87 Points
Earthy dark fruit with hints of cocoa and some subtle vegetal notes in a full bodied format. Abit lacking in complexity and finish, but overall a very nice bottle of wine thats drinkIng well today. It needed several hours in the decanter.
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6/23/2011 - macker100 wrote: 88 Points
Picked this up on trip. Very much like a 2004, with a classic nose and palate. Stony nose with dried cherries. Palate was a touch stringent, although some solid red fruits were pulling through. Very solid acidity and good traditional finish. Great daily drinker from off vintage.
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10/20/2010 - bytefox wrote: 90 Points
grossartiger Wein, tiefdunkle Farbe, Tannine allmählich mürbe und elegant eingebunden
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11/2/2009 - pjaines wrote:
Here was a nice surprise. This wine is pretty much ready to go based on this bottle - wonderfully balanced with resolved tannins and lush fruit that retains a nice richness without being chewey. Actually quite light in the mouth with restrained elegance and fine grained tannins. Very good.
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10/23/2009 - balassis wrote: 87 Points
Deep ruby with high level of fruit, oak, and sweet spices, both on the nose and palate.
Mature to drink right now, with sweet tannins and short finish. Lacks a bit of complexity.
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10/5/2008 - kris.h wrote: 84 Points
dark red. The nose is closed and not giving much. Medium weight. Moderate tannins, medium acidity. Finishes with tannins and some stem. Seems well balanced but it's just not very expressive. Give this more time. This has improved some the next day. The nose has opened up to reveal some cedar, tobacco, and green peppers. The palate is still light but well balanced.
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7/6/2008 - JeremyQ wrote: 88 Points
Upon opening ... very dark red, initial nose of very sour cherries with promises of a lot of tannins. A bit of cough mixture / syrup smell. Initial taste - light and not much there, quite disappointing. Will let it sit for an hour + to see if it improves. (initial score 84)
2 hrs later ... Gained some weight and smoothed out with air. The bit of heat on the nose has also subsided. Quite drinkable now ... IMO a bit early to drink, put it down for another couple of years is my recommendation. Score improved to 88
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10/15/2007 - eksata wrote: 88 Points
apperance - dark ruby, full slow legs: nose - roasted earth cocoa, almost skunky, earthy plummy peppery fruit: palette - full and fleshy great length, needs time in bottle can't wait to try it in a couple of years.
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10/12/2007 - Dr_007 wrote: 87 Points
Decanted for 30 min. Spice and oak on the nose. Fruit was not not distinguishable. Not a chore to drink, but not spectacular. Definitely better second labels out there.
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10/6/2007 - Tao wrote: 88 Points
Tasted from a half bottle, very dense, very concentrate, the tannins dominate the palate, still detect the fruit core, needs few years to settle! 2010-2016+
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