France

Chateau Cos Labory

Chateau Cos Labory 5eme Cru Classe Saint-Estephe

Bordeaux

Saint-Estephe

Deep garnet-purple in color. It is a little broody and subdued to start off with subtle notes of charcoal and wild thyme leading to a core of red currant jelly and juicy raspberries with touches of lavender and black pepper. The light-bodied palate is fresh and light on its feet with lightly chewy tannins and a savory finish.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Cos Labory strolls confidently out of the glass with classic notes of cassis, redcurrants, and cedar followed by wafts of pencil shavings and dried herbs. The light to medium-bodied palate is invigorating and crunchy, the red berry flavors supported by grippy tannins and crisp acidity, finishing on a lively herbal note. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc.

The 2022 Cos Labory is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it features cheery notions of Morello cherries, wild blueberries, and freshly crushed blackcurrant, with hints of lavender, forest floor, and bay leaves. The full-bodied palate has impressive concentration and a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins with bold freshness and a long, earthy finish. This is an impressive first showing by the new owner, Michel Reybier! pH 3.71.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 7% Petit Vedot, the 2021 Cos Labory is deep purple-black in color. It features open-knit notes of fresh raspberries and blackberries, opening out to tilled soil, tree bark, and wet pebbles, with a touch of dried herbs. The light-bodied palate has great tension with pure, vibrant black and red berry flavors and a chewy texture, finishing with an earthy lift. Cos d’Estournel is the new owner and for this vintage their technical director, Dominique Arangoïts, oversaw the bottling.

Pencil lead, blackcurrant, black cherry, this is successful, old school, unfussy but with confident tannins, easy to approach - an 1855 classified estate that doesn't need the full 10 years before drinking. It is never as complex as its other classified St Estèphe siblings but this is enjoyable and well made.

Inside Bordeaux

Bright fruit on display, a ton of pencil lead, graphite, slate and cassis bud. There is a lot being held back at this point, with rosebud and rose stems suggesting the fresher side of Cabernet Sauvignon. A charmingly unfussy expression of classified St Estephe as is often the case with Cos Labory, but there is concentration here.

The 2018 Cos Labory has a deep garnet purple color. It delivers notes of baked blackberries, chocolate-covered cherries, and mulberries, with hints of bay leaves and cedar. Medium-bodied, the palate is restrained and lively, with a chewy texture and plenty of fruit to pave the way to the finish. 

Not always the most consistent 1855 estate, but it really shows its potential with the 2016 vintage. Love the marzipan and aniseed that comes in waves through the palate, set against plump and bright black fruits. Firm but supple tannins, this has got to be the greatest Cos Labory vintage of the past 20 years or more. 57hl/h yield, harvest October 3 to 12. 50% new oak, 3.6ph.

In the running for the most under the radar of all 1855 estates, this showcases the quality of the vintage. You'll find plenty of black fruit, firm tannins that are a little underripe but add backbond to the wine, and have an easy charm. In the Haut Marbuzet school of characterful, enjoyable St Estèphe, with clear ageing potential. 50% new oak, harvest September 25 to October 13.

Utviklede aromaer. Noe frukt i form av solbær og bjørnebær, men domineres av blyantkvess, treverk, våt matjord, lær og tobakk. Kurant kompleksitet i vinen, men man føler gjennom hele drikkekurven at dette er en vin som har lagt toppformen bak seg, uten at det betyr at den er ferdig av den grunn. En fin Bordeaux fra en litt kjip årgang hvis eneste feil egentlig er å havne sammen med de vinene den har i den aktuelle smakingen.

2024	No priceNot available	Excellent
2023	No priceNot available	Excellent
2022	No priceNot available	Outstanding
2021	No priceNot available	Very Good
2020	No priceNot available	Excellent

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Chateau Cos Labory
Vintages	1987
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe
Bottle	75 cl

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