Vinous 90 / 100 byNeal Martinthe3/28/2018 The 2014 Cos-Labory has a slightly pinched bouquet at first, gradually opening with blackberry and briary scents, just a touch of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, sappy black fruit laced with graphite and black pepper, quite harmonious with a crisp and poised, satisfying finish. Excellent, traditional Saint Estèphe and perhaps one of the best Cos-Labory I have tasted thus far. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Wine Advocate 89 / 100 byNeal Martinthe3/31/2017 The 2014 Cos Labory is always rather demeaned during en primeur, however, this vintage showed promise when I tasted it from barrel. Now in bottle, it has a clean graphite and scorched earth-scented bouquet that is correct, but is missing the complexity and tension of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and well-judged acidity, actually showing more potential than the nose with commendable purity on the finish. If the aromatics just evolve more personality, this will be a respectable Cos-Labory.
Jamessuckling.com 91 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017 Attractive, forthright, cassis nose introduces a rather elegant and fresh palate with a well-balanced, clean and dry finish of quite some length.
Vinous 89 / 100 byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017 The 2014 Cos Labory comes across as quite soft in this vintage. Sweet red cherry, tobacco, mint, leather and herbal notes all lift out of the glass. Relative to most wines of the vintage, especially in Saint-Estèphe, the Cos Labory appears to be somewhat lacking in body. I had hoped the 2014 would develop into a more complex wine.
Wine Enthusiast 93 / 100 byRoger Vossthe2/2/2017 This neighbor of Château Cos d'Estournel has produced a firm dry wine in 2014. Dark tannins and spice hint at the finely judged structure. The wine is foursquare and solid, likely to develop well over the medium term. Drink from 2022.
Le Point 16,5 / 20 byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015 Fruits noirs, épices, note florale, bouche ronde, souple, franche, délicate, très beau fruit, bien pur. Serré en finale.
Vinous 89-91 / 100 byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015 The 2014 Cos Labory offers lovely volume and depth in an upfront style that should drink well pretty much right out of the gate. Grilled herbs, lavender, mint, smoke, game and tobacco wrap around a core of dark fruit given an extra kick of suppleness from the relatively high percentage of Merlot in the blend. The 2014 is not especially complex, but it is beautifully balanced and delicious.
The Wine Cellar Insider 86-89 / 100 byJeff Levethe5/5/2015 Smoked cherries, earth and herbs on the nose, this wine is medium-bodied, forward and easy-drinking in style with a woodsy spice mingling midst the cassis. 86-89 Pts
Wine Advocate 90-92 / 100 byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015 The Château Cos Labory 2014 has a fruit-driven rich bouquet with plenty of blackberry and raspberry jam, a touch of violet emerging with time in the glass. This is far less austere and more pleasurable than practically all recent releases from this growth. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, graphite-tinged black fruit and an elegant finish that is very promising for the future. Has this Saint Estèphe finally made a great wine worthy of its status? Quite possibly.
Asian Palate 83 / 100 byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015 This wine has been disappointing the past several years. In 2014 the wines are a little better but not living up to the vintage potential. A simple wine - the palate is coarse and without refinement and the finish is dry and short.
Decanter.com 17 / 20 bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015 Lovely summer black fruits on the nose and a smooth-textured palate with good acidity and tannins to back it up. Always a good St-Estèphe. Drink: 2019-2028 (90)
Jancis Robinson 16,5 / 20 byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2015 Very dark crimson. Fleshy for a St-Estèphe. Aromatic yet with lots of fruit. Real sinew and life. Yet with the fresh natural acidity on the end. Punchy and sinewy. Very lively indeed. A good Cos Labory. Drink 2024-2040
Jamessuckling.com 90-91 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015 Refined and delicious already with an attractive dark berry and currant character. Medium to full body, firm tannins.
Wine Enthusiast 92 / 100 byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015 91–93. Barrel Sample. This is a dark, structured wine, showing firm, extracted tannins and concentration. Lying over this density is a beam of fresh acidity like a streak of lightning in a dark sky. — R.V. (4/1/2015)