It is a deep, ruby colour with a light pink rim. On the nose, fresh blackcurrants, prunes, cigar box, herbs, leather plumps, violets and dark chocolate. On the palate, cherries and plum fruit are fixed to a dry and toasty finish. 2011 Cos Labory is not a full-bodied St-Estèphes, possibly due to the relatively high proportion of Cabernet Franc, like 30% in the blend(the other two-thirds are Cabernet and Merlot, as well as a dash of Petit Verdot). It is more structured than 2012. This tasting still applies today.
The wine was fermented in enamel-lined concrete tanks and aged in small barriques (30-50% new) for 18 months, hence its freshness, power, and intensity.
The central part of the 18-hectare vineyard is a long, thin strip located just to the west of Cos d'Estournel, with the rest being near Lafon Rochet. However, in the last ten years, we have seen a move towards a more substantial style, and the wines are now some of the best (and most sensibly priced) in St-Estèphe.
Cos Labory is one of the smallest of the Cru Classé châteaux in Bordeaux. This 5ème Cru Classé St-Estèphe property has been in the hands of the same Audoy family since the beginning of the last century.
Scores are consistent and impressive: GG95, WS93, Falstaff93, Decanter93.
Updated: Sep 12, 2024
It is a deep, ruby colour with a tight pink rim. This wine has a dense, dark-fruited sweetness and balanced acidity, showing exceptional quality. It is slightly smaller and softer than the 2014 vintage we offered for sale six months ago, but its beautiful balance ensures an enjoyable drinking experience. The forward style lets you appreciate the supple texture, and the multi-layered sweetness, with hints of ripe, dark red, juicy fruits, mocha, chocolate, and dark cherries, is sure to intrigue your taste buds. This wine represents the modern international style, with partial oak fermentation, new oak storage, and high alcohol, but lacks a bit of terroir character at this stage. However, if you look past the alcohol content and the extract (14% ABV from St Emilion!), you'll find a wine of exceptional quality.
Rated RP93, this flagship wine from the Decoster family blends 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has been consistently successful since the family acquired the 58-acre estate, raising the level of quality. The 2012 vintage displays pure, striking aromatics of blueberry, black raspberry, minerals, and flowers. With a beautiful texture, medium to full-bodied, ripe, and multi-dimensional, this wine dominates its classification and delivers exceptional quality. Drinking well for ten years, this wine promises an exciting future development, ensuring a long-lasting and rewarding experience. The modest yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare from an unusually late harvest (October 22 to November 2) further promise an exciting future development.
Andreas Larsson also awarded it 93 points, describing it as dark ruby-purple with meaty and leathery notes, dry spices, and dark berries in the nose. The palate is dense and structured, featuring dark floral fruit, blackberry, plum, cassis, plenty of grainy tannins, discreet oak, and a long, dark fruity finish. This wine's excellent ageing potential means it will continue to develop and improve over time, making it a valuable addition to any collection.
A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, the de Fieuzal Rouge is a wine that delivers a deep rubied hue and a delightful dark plum and blackcurrant nose, elegantly wrapped in the embrace of creamy vanilla new oak. Its soft(maybe too soft) palate mirrors the nose, is ripe and round, and finishes with a smooth, satisfying mineral finish. We accord it with a DD91, a mark of its excellence.
Awarded it RP 87, Parker writes, "The 2013 De Fieuzal has an open, quite sensual bouquet with scents of black cherry, wild strawberry and wet stone, an attractive floral aspect developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, succulent in the mouth with good acidity, and polished with a smooth, harmonious finish. This is commendable for the vintage, even if it lacks a little personality." Edited.
Awarded it WS89, Wine Spectator writes, "A prickly spine, a term used to describe the wine's acidity and structure, provides some energy to the core of plum and pomegranate flavours, with a light bay leaf hinting in. Reve, a French term for 'dream ', is a light snap of anise at the very end."
