Château Cos Labory 2019

This is nicely polished with currant, blackberry and cherry aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with tannins that are well-integrated and fresh acidity. Second wine of Cos Labory. It’s attractive now, but will be much better in 2024 and onwards.

More traditionally styled but the tannins show much finesse. Rather than reflecting the more opulent aspects of a solar vintage like 2019, this fifth growth exudes pencil lead refinement, albeit somewhat austere in these early days, and yet, with time in glass, by the time dinner was served, it gained in volume. I would wait at least five years.

The 2019 Cos Labory remains rather brawny, but it certainly has a ton of character. Black cherry, plum, gravel, licorice and scorched earth add to an impression of rusticity. Even so, there is plenty of depth and more than enough energy to support many years of fine drinking.

Cos Labory has been making better wine than ever recently, and the 2019 continues that trend. Smoke, earthy, spicy, floral red and black fruits are all over the place on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, fresh, long, fruity and forward, with solid depth of flavor, ripe tannins, and a creamy-textured finish with a peppery nuance that kicks in on the endnote, this is going to be great with a few years of age. Drink from 2025–2040.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. A hint of orange blossom, black berries, a subtle spicy touch. Medium complexity, red cherries, fresh structure, vivid tannins, subtle green elements, salty notes, fine nougat on the mineral finish, will benefit from bottle ageing.

A classic style with a lighter body yet harmonious, featuring elegant red fruit, cassis, fine spice, ripe tannin and refined freshness, with good length.

Purple with a ruby rim. Playful bouquet of stewed Morello cherries, violets and red plums, with light tobacco and malt toffee in the background. On the firm palate with a soft texture, gripping claws, crumbly extract and a tightly knit tannic framework. In the encapsulated finish, plum skins and sloe juice; the wine groans under the load, it needs time to digest it; potential rating.

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 13.5% vol. alcohol, production 100,000 bottles) Velvety, dark, fruity bouquet with plum, black cherry, charcoal, licorice, slate. Dense, aromatic palate with dark tones, plenty of fine tannins, a muscular, well-bourgeois structure, long, austere finish.

(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 13.5% vol. alcohol, production 100,000 bottles) Velvety, dark, fruity bouquet of plums, black cherries, coal, licorice, slate. Dense, aromatic palate with dark tones, plenty of fine tannin, muscular, solid bourgeois structure, long, austere finish. 18/20 2026 - 2050

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 2019 Cos Labory is deep garnet-purple in color. The nose is slightly muted, offering subtle hints of juicy plums, blackberry preserves, and sauteed herbs, with wafts of damp soil and charcoal. Medium-bodied, the palate is refreshing and vibrant, with well-managed tannins and a minerally lift on the finish.

Endowed with admirable freshness, with a palate that is both indulgent and juicy. A wine that charms with its balance, its remarkably digestible character, and its refined finish. Everything is in place to make a beautiful bottle that will evolve well.

An aristocratic, pure and intense nose, with notes of black fruit, elderberry and coffee. On the palate, juniper and black licorice aromas emerge, with fine bitters and a pleasant freshness. The finish, very elegant, is well framed by tannins that are caressing yet persistent.

The nose is aromatic and offers a touch of racy power, intensity, a lovely fine grain, as well as precision and harmony. It reveals notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant, pulpy/juicy raspberry and, more subtly, small wild berries, layered with fine touches of violet plum, cornflower/iris, warm gravel, and hints of grey pepper, zan (licorice), and caramelization. The palate is juicy, fruity, finely tight and delivers freshness, racy minerality, tension, indulgence, and a lovely pulpy/juicy/tangy fruit, precision, and a graceful smoothness. On the palate, this wine shows notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, pulpy raspberry and, more lightly, fresh blackcurrant, joined by touches of juicy/tangy small red berries, juicy/crunchy violet plum, lily, as well as points of racy minerality, licorice/zan, sweet spices, and a subtle hint of tea and camphor (in the background). The tannins are elegant and racy. Good length.

Logo on the capsule: inverted T (Trescases) Dark, intense, beautiful colour. Highly aromatic nose with fresh, ripe, subtle fruit. Soft on the attack, supple mid-palate, endowed with a melting texture; the wine moves forward with flavour, gaining taste from mid-palate to finish, all without ever showing the tannin. Lovely length. A superb outsider.