Château Cos Labory 2018

Special Price $51.85 Average US Price $59.00
In Stock   Usually ships in 2-5 days, weather permitting
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SKU
1476-2018
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• Domaine: Château Cos Labory
• Appellation: Saint-Estèphe 
• Classification: Fifth Growth, 5ème Grand Cru Classé
• Origin: Left Bank, Bordeaux, France

Château Cos Labory is a Saint-Estèphe property that has made significant changes over the decades to improve their viticultural practices.  Quality from this producer that was formerly categorized as an underperformer has steadily been climbing, and with it the accolades and scores.  The vintages after 2015 have received mounting critical acclaim featuring scores in the low 90s.  With prices under $100.00, this Fifth Growth producer is an excellent value for those who love the muscular, richly concentrated, powerful wines of Saint-Estèphe. 
 
Château Cos Labory derives its namesake from the hill of Cos, located within the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The first records of the estate date back to the 1700s and it was originally named Cos Gaston. The second portion of its name came from the Gaston family who was managing the property at the time.  Pierre Gaston had three children and the property ultimately went to his son, Hyacinthe.  Hyacinthe and his wife had a child – a little girl named Marie-Sany.  When Marie-Sany came of age, she married a gentleman named Francois-Armand Labory, who received the property as a dowry.  Thus, Château Clos Labory received the second half of its namesake, which it still carries today. 
 
The château produced quite a bit of wine back in the day -- more wine than their nearest neighbor, the “Super Second,” producer, Cos d’Estournel.  Eventually Château Cos Labory was purchased by Louis Gaspard d’Estournel, the father of the Second Growth estate.  He purchased the best vineyard parcels from the estate and transferred them over to Cos d’Estournel.  Cos Labory received the high honor of Fifth Growth status in 1855, but it wasn’t until 1971 when the Weber family took over the property that things started to really change. The Weber Family still owns Cos Labory through descendants, and they have spared no expense in revitalizing and caring for it.  In 1999, they added temperature controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks.  The operations at the estate are very much a family affair, and at Château Cos Labory, they believe in creating wines that one can enjoy when young.  This is somewhat atypical of the Saint-Estèphe appellation, which produces wines that are often backward and ungainly in their youth. 
 
 The current owner, Bernard Audroy, is an oenologist who trained at the Bordeaux Institute.  He  is a huge proponent for Saint-Estèphe – which is an often-misunderstood appellation due to the sheer power the wines possess that borders on austerity.  He  deeply values tradition in his approach and favors Cabernet Sauvignon over Merlot when crafting his wines.  The 18-hectare vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc and the vines are an average age of 35 years old.  The vines thrive in their gravel, limestone and clay soils – which are typical of Saint-Estèphe and some parcels are in the middle of the vineyards at Cos d’Estournel.  Cos Labory has made the interesting choice of aging some of their wines in American Oak.  Their wines have a strong, powerful quality to them and a delightful spiciness that complements Asian cuisine beautifully. 

Tasting Notes

"The 2018 Cos-Labory has a cohesive nose with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and earthy aromas, hints of black olive developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, good fruit concentration with well integrated oak. There is a slight shortness on the finish, but other than that, this is certainly one of the best wines from Cos-Labory that I have tasted in recent years. Keep it up." - Neal Martin, vinous.com, (November, 2019), Ratings: 90-92, Drink: 2023-2040

"The 2018 Cos Labory has a deep garnet-purple color, bursting from the glass with bold notes of warm cassis, blackberry compote and Morello cherries, plus suggestions of roses, unsmoked cigars and tree bark. The medium-bodied palate has a very sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and tons of freshness supporting the rather delicately played fruit, finishing long and earthy/minerally. The structure stands out a little now, which I enjoy, but for those preferring softer, rounder expressions, give this a good 3-5 years in the cellar and drink it over the next 15-20 years." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown,The Wine Advocate (3/31/2021), Ratings: 93 Drink: 2025-2045

 "Lots of rich red and black currants, tobacco, savory spice, and new leather notes emerge from the 2018 Château Cos Labory, a medium-bodied Saint-Estèphe with terrific overall balance, ripe, velvety tannins, lots of character, and outstanding length. It's well worth cellaring and drinking any time over the coming 15+ years." - Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, Rating: 90, Maturity: 2021-2036


More Information
LWIN 1008791
Stock Status In Stock
Appellation Saint-Estèphe
Vintage 2018
Brand Chateau Cos Labory
Shipping Weight 3.000000
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Saint-Estèphe is one of the most famous Left Bank wine appellations, located in the Médoc region in the north of Bordeaux, near Pauillac and Haut-Médoc. Renowned for its robust and complex wines, Saint-Estèphe is distinguished by its rich clay and gravelly soils, which give the wines a solid structure and great longevity.  

 

The wines of Saint-Estephe are made from traditional grape varieties such as Saint-Julien. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant grape giving the wines structure, power and longevity. It is often accompanied by Merlot which adds roundness and richness, as well as Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot which contribute to the unique character of Saint-Estephe wines. 

 

Saint-Estèphe wines are known for their depth, rich flavors, aromas and ability to age well. Initially powerful and tannic, these wines develop remarkable aromas of black fruits, cassis, spices accompanied by a spectacular color and texture. 

 

Among the most renowned châteaux of Saint-Estèphe boasts a number of 1855 crus classés, including Second Growths: Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose and Third Growths Château Calon Ségur

 

This globally recognized appellation is home to other estates as Château Lafon-Rochet, Château Cos Labory, Château Meyney, Château Phélan Ségur, Château Capbern, Château Lilian Ladouys or Château Ormes de Pez

 

Here a short video : Les genèses du terroir de Saint-Estèphe

 

Footnotes on Futures, Pre-Arrivals, and potential US Tariffs: 

1. As of June 15, 2021, the US and the EU agreed to suspend tariffs resulting from the Boeing-Airbus aircraft trade disputes. Accordingly, such import taxes are now suspended for the next five years.

2. Futures are expected to be available for delivery two years after the sales (e.g., the 2022 vintage, sold in 2023, will be delivered in 2025 mostly, or 2026 if the producer ages the wine longer).

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