Cos Labory - Saint-Estèphe 2023

Wine Advocate

92

byYohan Castaingthe4/10/2026

A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and the balance Petit Verdot, the 2023 Cos Labory is more open and approachable than expected, offering aromas of lead pencil, fresh licorice, spices and baked dark berries. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, it is firm and structured, built around abundant tannins that assert themselves on a spicy, somewhat woody finish.

The Wine Palate

90

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/9/2026

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Cos Labory rolls out of the glass with ready-to-go notes of just-ripe blackberries and red currants, leading to hints of dried Provençal herbs, pencil lead, and black olives. Light- to medium-bodied, the palate delivers a firm, chewy texture and bags of freshness to support the delicate savory flavors, finishing a little chewy. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/31/2026

Made by the team at Cos d'Estournel, the 2023 Château Cos Labory reveals ripe blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, damp earth, and leafy herbs on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied, with a fresh, focused, classically styled mouthfeel, ripe, polished yet building tannins, and outstanding length. Give bottles 2-4 years and drink over the following two decades. Drink 2027-2045.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93

byJeff Levethe3/30/2026

Chocolate, licorice, black cherries, and smoke aromas get you instantly focused on the wine. On the palate, the wine is fresh, vibrant, and chewy, with black raspberries, and chocolate in the lifted, minty-fresh, and chalky finish. The debut vintage produced by the team from Cos d'Estournel. The wine blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2028-2040.

Vinous

92

byAntonio Gallonithe3/16/2026

The 2023 Cos Labory is the first vintage made by Cos d'Estournel Technical Director Dominique Arangoïts. A big, broad-shouldered wine, Cos Labory is more about virile power than finesse. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, licorice and bittersweet chocolate are front and center. The larger grain of the tannin vis-à-vis Cos d'Estournel is impossible to miss.

Vinous

88

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

The 2023 Cos Labory, the debut vintage under Michel Reybier's ownership (of neighbor Cos d'Estournel), has a relatively light nose with blackberry and tobacco scents, just missing the complexity of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, a little pinched toward the finish that feels just a bit conservative and short. So-so. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Dried violets, black currants, graphite and cedar shape the nose of this Saint-Estephe. The medium- to full-bodied palate is structured, with a ripe thread of dark fruit and imposing tannins that lead to a firm finish. A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot, 8% petit verdot and 4% cabernet franc. Needs some time. Better from 2028.

My Bettane + Desseauve

90

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Il continuera de plaire par son style charmeur et facile d’accès, avec un beau fruit plein et harmonieux. Tannins subtils et bien intégrés.

Yvesbeck.wine

90-92

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Das zunächst zurückhaltende Bouquet von Cos Labory gewinnt im Laufe der Minuten an Ausdruck und offenbart schließlich Noten von schwarzer Johannisbeere und Pfefferminze. Der Wein ist cremig im Auftakt, aber genauso wie das Bouquet offenbart er sich Schritt für Schritt und gewinnt auf seinem Weg immer mehr an Größe. Die Tannine bilden ein gutes Rückgrat und der Wein verfügt über die nötige Substanz, um an Ausdruck und Harmonie zu gewinnen. Man muss Geduld haben, aber das ist bei Cos Labory nicht sonderlich überraschend!

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-93

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

The first vintage under the ownership of the Cos D’Estournel team, the 2023 Château Cos Labory is based on 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, raised in 30% new French oak, which is reduced from past vintages. It's another incredibly successful 2023 that has red and black plums, graphite, spring flowers, and spicy aromatics as well as medium to full-bodied richness. Balanced and concentrated, with integrated, ripe tannins, this absolutely charming 2023 will benefit from just a few years of bottle age.

The Wine Independent

90-92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/7/2024

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 Drinks Business

92-94

byColin Haythe5/7/2024

Cos Labory (St-Estèphe; 55% Cabernet Sauvignon; 33% Merlot; 8% Cabernet Franc; 4% Petit Verdot; pH 3.73; IPT 70; aging in oak barrels, 30% of which are new; 13% alcohol; tasted at the UGC press tasting at the Cité du Vin and then again at Cos Labory with Michel Reybier and Dominique Arangoits). This for me would win the prize for the steepest recent upward ascent amongst the classed growths of the Médoc. Axel Marchal is bringing all of his skill to this as a consultant and it is very much a property to watch. A cool terroir profile – so very different from Cos itself – and one that you might not expect to excel in this vintage. But it does. Peonies. Cassis. An evident stoney minerality. More cassis. Wild heather and wild herbs. A dark berry fruit, a little damson too. This is tense and lithe, crystalline yet with lots of energy despite the impressive depth and concentration. Always a slightly austere wine, above all in this vintage which it reveals its terroir more than ever before. But I rather love that. It’s time to recalibrate your expectations of this property.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

The debut vintage produced by the team from Cos d'Estournel. The wine pops with dark red fruits, flowers, and cocoa in the nose. On the palate, the wine is vibrant, chalky, crisp, and chewy, with black raspberries, and chocolate in the finish. The wine blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. 13% ABV. Drink from 2027-2040. 91-93 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

90

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

The arrival of Cos d'Estournel at Cos Labory in May 2023 has got to be one of the most interesting purchases of recent years. There are of course similarities between the two properties - same hill, after all, and direct neighbours. But where Cos is east and south-facing, Cos is west and north facing. And they are taking on a seriously old school property, without even temperature control in the cellars (rectified on arrival, as you can imagine). There is a differennce in the quality of the aromatics from recent vintages of Cos Labory, and concentrated black fruits shot through with turmeric and sage spices, although the tannins are still austere and old school. The hard thing for Cos in my opinion will be to guard a little bit the style of Cos Labory, or you may as well put all the grapes together and just increase the production of the 2nd Growth. Will be fascinating to watch. Conversion to organics underway.

Vinous

91-93

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 Cos Labory is a powerful, dense wine. Big tannins wrap around a core of dark fruit, gravel, spice, menthol and mocha. This strapping, old-school Saint-Estèphe packs plenty of punch. Clearly, Cos Labory is a work in progress. It will be some years before the Cos team can turn the estate around, as there is so much work to be done, especially in rehabilitating the vineyards. Even so, this is a fine effort for a property in transition.

Vinous

89-91

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Cos Labory is the first vintage made completely by Michel Reybier's team. The 2023 went through a parcel selection and use of peristaltic pumps. Matured in 30% new oak, it has a slightly richer and more decadent bouquet, perhaps reflecting the summer heat more than Cos d'Estournel. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy ripe tannins, fleshy in style but there is satisfying structure in situ. Quite marine-influenced towards the finish with a tangy peppery aftertaste. Give this 3-4 years in bottle. It's not far from the 2022 in quality.

Falstaff

92

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

Dark ruby, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Delicately red berry-accented herbal savouriness, fresh cherries, hints of figs, orange zest. Medium body, red cher- ries, ripe tannins, freshly structured, a balanced food wine.

Alexandre Ma

91-93

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Wine Advocate

90-92

byWilliam Kelleythe4/26/2024

Aromas of dark berries, pencil shavings and spices introduce the 2023 Cos Labory, a medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety wine that's fleshy and enveloping, with a deep core of fruit underpinned by plenty of sweet, powdery tannin. Now overseen by the team at Cos d'Estournel, this is a strong effort for this estate.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

Lead pencil and graphite to the blackcurrant and blackberry character. Hint of cedar, too. Medium- to full-bodied with chewy tannins and impressive precision. Juicy and spicy. New Cos Labory after the purchase by Cos d’Estournel. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.

Vertdevin

92-93

byJonathan Chicheportichethe4/24/2024