2025 Cos d'Estournel Pagodes de Cos Blanc

EXCLUSIVE - EXPECTED EARLY 2028

Winery Château Cos d'Estournel

Château Cos d'Estournel belongs to the absolute elite of Bordeaux and is regarded as one of the most iconic estates of Saint-Estèphe. The château was made great in the early 19th century by Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel, who made his fascination with distant trade routes and Oriental influences visible in the estate's now-famous pagodas. Since 2000, Cos d'Estournel has been owned by Michel Reybier, with innovation, precision, and terroir expression at the forefront. Although Cos is primarily known for its great red Grand Vin, the estate has been investing heavily in white wine for over twenty years. Pagodes de Cos Blanc is an excellent example of this and demonstrates how seriously the château approaches this category. More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

Pagodes de Cos Blanc comes from the northern Médoc, near the mouth of the Gironde in Saint-Estèphe. This relatively cool microclimate, combined with natural ventilation from the Atlantic Ocean, helps to preserve freshness and aromatic precision, even in warm years. The proximity of the Gironde acts as a natural temperature regulator and prevents excessive heat in the vineyards.

For this white wine, calcareous clay and limestone soils play a particularly important role. These terroirs came into their own perfectly in 2025 under the warm and dry conditions. According to the château, these specific plots were essential for maintaining tension and balance in the wine. The vintage was characterized by early vine development, but thanks to good water reserves and the cooling influence of the river, the freshness was fully preserved.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The Pagodes de Cos Blanc 2025 blend consists of 67% Sémillon and 33% Sauvignon Blanc . The relatively high proportion of Sémillon is striking and lends the wine extra roundness, texture, and aromatic depth. Sauvignon Blanc provides tension, citrus freshness, and aromatic lift. A key component of the blend comes from calcareous clay terroirs in the north of the Médoc, which were replanted in 2020 and grafted onto Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. In 2025, these plots make a full contribution to the final blend for the first time. According to the château, these terroirs provide a nice counterpoint to the original gravel soils and contribute significantly to the wine's freshness and balance.

Harvest, vinification and aging

Yields were deliberately kept low to achieve extra concentration and aromatic intensity. According to Cos d'Estournel, the 2025 vintage demonstrates the extent of experience the château has accumulated in white wine. The combination of controlled yields and plot-specific vinification produces a wine that is both rich and remarkably accessible. With approximately 12.87% alcohol, a pH of 3.09, and high natural acidity, Pagodes de Cos Blanc possesses great tension and freshness. This combination gives the wine its energetic style without making it austere or sharp. The result is a white Bordeaux with striking precision and balance.

Color, smell and taste

Pagodes de Cos Blanc 2025 opens expressively and layered, with aromas of lemon, lime, citrus zest, and ripe white peach. Additionally, notes of honeysuckle, white flowers, and a subtle spiciness emerge. In the background, a light chalky minerality develops, providing extra tension.

On the palate, the wine immediately combines roundness with freshness. The Sémillon provides texture and a creamy, almost soft core, while Sauvignon Blanc ensures lively citrus tension and precision. James Suckling speaks of layers of lemon, lime, and honeysuckle, with striking length and texture.

Neal Martin specifically praises the bright acidity and fresh finish with a hint of lemongrass, while Adrian van Velsen emphasizes the combination of juicy fruit notes and lively tension. The finish lingers for a long time, with citrus oil, fresh acidity, and a subtle minerality that makes the wine particularly drinkable.

Summary of professional reviews

93-94 points – James Suckling: praises the layers of citrus, lime, and honeysuckle, combined with striking texture and length. 90-92 points – Neal Martin, Vinous: describes the wine as creamy, seductive, and accessible, with harmonious acidity and a fresh finish of lime zest. 90-92 points – Adrian van Velsen, Vinum: appreciates the lively freshness and notes of lemongrass and juicy fruit, and expects the wine to be hard to resist once it is bottled. The full review texts can be found in the tab: Professional reviews.

Wine & Food Pairing and Discount

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. In the Food tab, you will find advice on what to look for for the right food and wine pairing, and a number of dish suggestions from our Sommelier.