Cos Labory

History of Château Cos Labory

The history of Château Cos Labory begins in the early 19th century when François-Armand Labory took possession of it following his marriage to Marie Sanny Gaston. The estate was then called Cos Gaston, before being renamed Cos Labory in homage to François Labory, its owner until 1845.

In 1847, Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel, a man renowned for his winemaking talents, acquired the property. But a few years later, in 1852, he sold it to an English banker, Charles Cecil Martyns. During this period, Cos Labory obtained ultimate recognition with its classification as a Fifth Grand Cru Classé during the famous 1855 classification, which consecrated the greatest Bordeaux wines.

The château then passed through several hands before being acquired in the 1930s by Georges Weber, who would ensure its family transmission. His son-in-law, François Audoy, took over the estate in 1959, followed by his son Bernard Audoy, who managed the estate until its acquisition in 2023 by Michel Reybier, already owner of the famous Château Cos d'Estournel. This new page in the history of Château Cos Labory is turned with Michel Reybier's desire to perpetuate the independence and excellence of this historic estate.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Cos Labory

Château Cos Labory benefits from an exceptional terroir located on the famous hill of Cos, a privileged geographical location that gives its name to the estate. The soils are mainly composed of deep gravels, clays and a limestone bedrock, ensuring excellent drainage capacity. The proximity of the Gironde estuary and the influence of the Atlantic Ocean bring a temperate climate, ideal for moderating climatic excesses and ensuring optimal ripeness of the grapes.

The vineyard of Château Cos Labory covers 35 hectares on the left bank, of which 18 hectares are dedicated to the production of the Grand Vin. This vineyard is divided into several plots, the most prestigious being located at the top of the Cos hill plateau. The average age of the vines is 38 years, an undeniable asset for the production of complex and aromatic wines.

The grape varieties are carefully distributed to best valorise the terroir: 50% of the vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, the king grape variety of the region, which brings structure and longevity to the wines. A third of the vineyard is dedicated to Merlot, which contributes to the roundness and finesse. Finally, plots of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot complete the grape varieties, bringing aromatic touches and depth to the estate's wines.

Vinification at Château Cos Labory

Vinification at Château Cos Labory is a harmonious blend of traditional techniques and modern methods. The objective is to preserve the unique character of the terroir while fully expressing the potential of the grape varieties. The estate uses low-temperature vinification techniques to maximise the extraction of aromas and matter while preserving the freshness of the grapes.

Fermentations take place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, ensuring maximum precision in temperature control and extractions. Subsequently, the wines are aged in oak barrels for a period of about 12 to 18 months, with an annual renewal of about 40% of the barrels. Unusually for the region, the estate uses both French and American oak barrels, which gives the wines a unique signature, with subtle and well-integrated woody notes.

The vinification process is also distinguished by a reasoned approach in the vineyard. Although the estate uses machines for certain stages, the harvest is partially done by hand, allowing the selection of the best bunches for the Grand Vin. Thanks to this meticulous care and the experience accumulated over decades, Château Cos Labory produces powerful, elegant wines tailored for long ageing.

The Cuvées of Château Cos Labory

Château Cos Labory offers several cuvées, each reflecting the unique character of the Saint-Estèphe terroir and the passion of the winemakers who create them.

Château Cos Labory

The estate's Grand Vin, Château Cos Labory, is an exceptional wine for ageing. Produced from the oldest plots of the vineyard, this wine combines tannic power, aromatic complexity and elegance. It is mainly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives it its structure, and Merlot, which brings a nice roundness on the palate. This wine is ideally kept for 5 to 10 years to reveal its full potential, but can also be appreciated in its youth for its ripe red fruit aromas and spicy notes.

Charme de Cos Labory

The estate's second wine, Charme de Cos Labory, is made from the young vines of the estate and benefits from careful vinification that makes it a more accessible wine, to be enjoyed earlier. With its supple and fruity side, Charme de Cos Labory offers a more immediate experience, while reflecting the excellence of the Saint-Estèphe terroir.

Château Andron Blanquet

Located near Cos Labory, Château Andron Blanquet is also part of the Reybier family portfolio. This cru is distinguished by its classic style and ageing capacity. Elaborated with the same care as Château Cos Labory, it seduces with its finesse and freshness.

Le Saint-Estèphe de Cos Labory

This more recent cuvée completes the estate's offer. Designed to be accessible in its youth, it highlights the characteristic aromas of Saint-Estèphe, with a nice vivacity and balanced structure.

The wines of Saint-Estèphe, a prestigious appellation of the Bordeaux vineyard, are distinguished by their elegance and longevity. Among the finest vintages are the years 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, which have impressed wine enthusiasts with their power and complexity. The following decades have not been outdone, with exceptional vintages such as 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and more recently 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. These years have confirmed Saint-Estèphe's ability to produce wines combining finesse and depth, emblematic of the Bordeaux terroir.

The Fifth Classified Growths offer a beautiful diversity of properties in the Médoc, testifying to Bordeaux's winemaking expertise. In Pauillac, one finds renowned estates such as Château d'Armailhac, Château Batailley, Château Clerc Milon, Château Croizet-Bages, Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Château Haut-Batailley, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Lynch-Moussas, Château Pedesclaux, and Château Pontet-Canet. In the Haut-Médoc, Château Camensac and Château Cantemerle stand out with their own characteristics. In Margaux, Château Dauzac and Château du Tertre bring a touch of elegance, while Château Cos Labory from Saint-Estèphe completes this prestigious selection. Each of these estates reflects a unique facet of the Bordeaux terroir.

Château Cos Labory is an estate that perfectly embodies the spirit of Saint-Estèphe: a unique terroir, a rich history and wines of great quality. With the acquisition by the Reybier family, a new era of development opens, but always with the same objective of excellence. Whether you are a lover of great Bordeaux wines or wish to discover the subtleties of Saint-Estèphe, the cuvées of Château Cos Labory will meet all your expectations. Powerful, elegant and tailored for ageing, these wines are a promise of pleasure for decades to come.