Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Beautiful noses that shows a dark core, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum skin and raspberries on the glass edges, dark, dryish earth, sandalwood, river stone, red flowers/roses, framed in bright, brilliant violets.

Beautiful fruit entry with dry, soft tannins. Dryish; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries and hints of raspberries. Dark, dry earth, sandalwood, river stone, dark spice, cedar, dry twigs, dry top soil, some dry herbs, dry clay, minimal baking spices, cigar with ash, dark flowers, red flowers/roses, framed in bright, brilliant violets. The acidity is gentle and nice. The finish is 19 elegant & pleasant, mid structured, smartly polished and lasts a full minute.

It has evolved some but still shows as primary. 91+ with some more appropriate cellaring. — 3 months ago

Robert Ahlstrom

8.9

Inky dark ruby, licorice and cherries, full body — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

A 2nd respected wine label of Cos D’Estournel (a 2nd Growth of the 1855 Grand Cru Classification) with a blend of Cab Sauv at 44%, Merlot at 46,2%, Cab Franc at 5,8% and Petit Verdot at 4% brings out an opulent, intense, deep, yet refined and properly-balanced red. The V’15 is perfectly poised, seductive, and extremely enjoyable. Eruptive fruity, with powerful aromatics in baked red fruits. The level of ripeness and raisins in notably persistent. Pagodes V’15 seats among my top favorites from Saint-Estèphe sub-appellation that will never disappoints and/or falls short of expectations. Cheers! — 4 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium ruby , thin slightly pink ruby rim . Quite dark fruit with cassis , blackberry , grafite . On the palate quite ripe and juicy , but with good balance , slightly gritty but ripe tannins , good cassis tinged , grafite finish . Overall this shows well , with good density and juiciness , sweet but importantly with a very balanced , refreshing personality. Enjoyable now , fruit forward , but no doubt can age well over the next 10 years. Enjoyable and moreish . — 5 months ago

Murphy Perng

8.9

Tar & roses — 9 years ago

Pierre Cardon

10

Good vintage. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Welcome to Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025.

2012 in Bordeaux is a great memory as Sofia & I had a great 5 year anniversary trip to Italy where we were married, ending in Bordeaux. Picking Mouton Merlot for a day, lunch with the Baroness, having steak and sipping 82 Mouton. Pinch me is what I said to Sofia.

Saint Julien is the elegant region on the Left Bank. While 2012 was an ok to good vintage it will always be packed with great memories.

Branaire-Ducru in grand vintages is still a great value. Always elegant with this kind of bottle age and more.

Hour decant starting notes.

Tonight smooth, ripe, round, juicy; brambly blackberries/black raspberries, dark cherries, cherries, black plum, some strawberries, raspberries with blueberry tones. Dry tobacco with ash, leather, spice box with some heat, lightly grilled meats, volcanics, moist clay, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, light vanillin, mid berry cola, dark chocolate bar, forest floor with leaves, sandalwood, steeped black tea, bay leaf, dry thyme, mocha powder, dry caramel, crush, dry rock/limestone, dry river stone, bright red flowers mixed with dark withering flowers, nice round acidity and a balanced, smartly tensioned, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds & lands on herbs & earth. — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2011 vintage. 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 11% Petit Verdot. This property was bought by the Bouygues brothers in 2006, the same year when they bought Montrose (up to first growth quality these days, and I gave the 2020 a perfect score). They made huge investments to increase the quality, and this 2011 is a very good effort in a much maligned vintage that remains in the shadow of the great 2010 and 2009 vintages. While the tannins have a slightly rough edge to them, it is balanced and satisfying, and a testimony to Bordeaux's ageing capacities, even in lesser vintages. An attractive food wine, and very good value too. Abv. 13%. — 3 months ago

Camilo Viafara

9.6

Fan Fuckingtastic — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Blend of 84% Cabernet, 12% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, deep Ruby with rich fruit aromas, aged for 14 months in 15% new French oak. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants, with notes of licorice, tobacco, some floral and cedar spice. Fine tannins, long finish, ending with fruit, vanilla, oak and spice. Nice but needs more bottle age, should last another 10 years. Nice! — 5 months ago

Neil Cornish

9.0

Huge black currant. Dark graphite. Really nicely balanced. Rich and silky. — 6 years ago

Hiroshi Tominaga

8.9

Rich and smooth. Bought at Mitsukoshi for ¥3,300. — 9 years ago

Mike Burmil

9.3

Cigar & burnt toast with a big white & green pepper flavor. Dry — 9 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.0

Was a slightly off bottle with some issue with the cork. Still was a good drink. — 4 months ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2019 vintage. Much better than expected, this is up to its Cru Classé status. Classic Saint-Estèphe and very good value. Since the owner of Cos d'Estournel bought this neighbouring estate, this will be a Château to follow. — 3 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.0

Excellent classical st Estephe, great value for money. — 4 months ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Merlot (34%) and Petite Verdot (12%). Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of ripe plums, black olives, dark chocolate and smoky cedar. Black cherry and plum fruit flavors lead the palate with additional hints of cranberry, black pepper, graphite and tobacco. Long, mineral laiden and smoky finish. Mouth coating structure and very firm tannins. Vibrant acidity keeps this wine pretty well balanced here in its youth. Very powerful and concentrated. Will continue to improve with more bottle age. — 4 months ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.2

very nice and open for business… — 6 months ago

Mo Salem

9.3

This wine has big potential. Needs a lot of rest. — 7 years ago

with Ron

Mac Hofeditz

9.5

Amazing 2005 bordeaux — 9 years ago