Château Cos Labory

The château

The estate was called Cos-Gaston and takes its present name from François Labory, who held it until 1845. Louis Gaspard d’Estournel, the man who made Cos d’Estournel, bought it in 1847 and worked the 2 as a single holding, moving the best parcels from the smaller property to the larger; the English politician Charles Cecil Martyn bought Cos Labory in 1852, and the 2 were separated again in 1860. In the 20th century it belonged to the Weber family and passed by inheritance to the Audoys, who held it for more than 60 years. Bernard Audoy sold it in March 2023 to Michel Reybier, the owner of Cos d’Estournel, together with Château Andron Blanquet.

The 2 estates are neighbors across a road, and Reybier means to keep Cos Labory as an estate of its own rather than fold it into Cos d’Estournel. Angélique Vigouroux, who was cellar master at Cos d’Estournel, has been technical director here since 2023. With the 16 hectares of Andron Blanquet the vineyard runs to about 35, at 8,700 vines a hectare, with vines 38 years old on average and the oldest at the top of the plateau: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Fermentation has been in temperature controlled stainless steel since 1999, and the wine is raised in both French and American oak, which is unusual here. Le Saint Estèphe de Cos Labory is the second wine.

Cos Labory is easy to overlook, and it rewards those who do not. The 2018, which I tasted in January 2026, took a generous vintage and handled it with restraint: dark fruit, earthy notes and firm structure, nothing in excess, true to its place. The 2016, which I tasted in September 2026, was still dressed like a debutante a decade on, lovely already, with patience still to be repaid.

At a glance

Appellation

Saint-Estèphe Terroir of Saint-Estèphe →

Commune

Saint-Estèphe

Classification

Cinquième Cru Classé 1855

Owner

Michel Reybier, owner of Château Cos d’Estournel, since March 2023; the Audoy family before him

Direction

Angélique Vigouroux, technical director, since 2023

Vineyard

About 35 hectares, with the 16 of Andron Blanquet; 8,700 vines a hectare; vines 38 years old on average

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon 62%, Merlot 26%, Petit Verdot 10%, Cabernet Franc 2%

Cellar

Temperature controlled stainless steel since 1999; French and American oak

Wines

Château Cos Labory; Le Saint Estèphe de Cos Labory

In history

Held with Cos d’Estournel from 1847; separated in 1860