Cos Labory St-Estèphe 2018

95 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2018 is a very charming wine, with a beautiful, full-bodied, yet delicious palate. It finishes with well-integrated, polished tannins. (2022)"

93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Cos Labory is fabulous. An extra kick of richness from the warm year and a bit more Petit Verdot than usual result in a Cos Labory that is wonderfully savory, powerful and layered. Black cherry, plum, cloves, chocolate and dried herbs build as this potent, exotically ripe Saint-Estèphe opens in the glass. Today, the 2018 is dark, brooding and in need of cellaring. Cos Labory is a bit wild, but that just adds to its considerable allure. Drink: 2025-2043. (Mar 2021)"

93 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "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. Drink: 2025-2045. (Mar 2021)"

93 points Peter Moser (Falstaff Guide): "Deep ruby, purple glints, faintly lighter at the rim. A bouquet of ripe cherries underlaid with fine savoury woody notes, followed by gentle hints of liquorice and candied violets, as well as a dash of orange zest. Juicy, elegant, fresh red fruit, integrated, supportive tannins, mineral, pithy style. Will benefit from bottle ageing. 2022-2040. (Feb 2021)"

92 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "A lovely sense of balance and restraint. Plenty of black fruit, lots of cassis and bilberry. A good wine that is going to age very well, with plenty of tannic bite, if a little high in acidity. Drinking Window: 2026-2042. (Nov 2020)"

92 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "A property on the corner opposite Cos d’Estournel, the vineyards of this estate are intertwined with those of its more famous neighbour. Given that, I have long felt the estate to be underperforming, its wines less than what they should be. I have long looked for improvement here, and it looks as though this vintage may have at least given us that. Aromatically this is all smoked cherry and cedary oak, confident and defined, different to the rather looser character I was expecting. The palate, meanwhile presents textured fruit, all toasted cherry and blackcurrant, wrapped up in a ribbon of gripped but ripe tannin, and some fresh acidity. This is the best Cos Labory I can ever recall tasting, just nudging the 2016 vintage into second place. (Feb 2021)"

92 points Wine Enthusiast: "The Audoy family has produced a structured wine, dense with tannins and backed by dark plum and berry fruits. It is rich, with a good future ahead of it, textured with richness as well as initial dryness. Drink the wine from 2026. (May 2021)"

92 points James Suckling: "Aromas of blackberries and blueberries with cloves, graphite and dark chocolate. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Sleek and refined with an austere, mineral finish. But polished texture. Better from 2024. (1/18/21)"