Chateau Cos Labory for sale

Rumors have been frequent in the Médoc in recent years. But at the beginning of March, the winegrower Bernard Audoy, co-owner with his brothers of the château Cos Labory and Andron Blaquet, confirmed the information: "We sell everything en bloc". In total, 34 hectares of vineyards in the Saint-Estephe appellation are on the table: the 18 hectares of Chateau Cos Labory, a Grand Cru classified in 1855, and the 16 hectares of Château Andron Blaquet, one of the oldest estates in Saint -Estephe, acquired by the Audoy family in 1971.

Cos Labory is one of the few classified properties in the Médoc that is still owned by a family. In 1922 George Weber bought it from an English banker, and in 1959 bequeathed it to his daughter and his son-in-law François Audoy. The couple had children, and the eldest, Bernard Audoy, took over the family business. The man is now 69 years old and feels the call of retirement. However, neither he nor any of his three brothers have descendants willing to take over the reins of the farm. "Even if one of us wanted to buy a part, the amount to pay would be too high," the winegrower resigns himself.

Therefore, the land will be sold "to the highest bidder." Cos Labory is surrounded by majestic crus, such as Haut-Marbuzet, Le Crock and Lafon-Rochet. 500 meters away, across the Salle du Breuil in Pauillac, is Lafite Rothschild.

"Several have shown interest," continues Bernard Audoy. But, according to our information, it is the immediate neighborhood of the property, Château Cos d'Estournel, which has been selected. The winegrower does not confirm the information, but specifies that Michel Reybier, owner of Cos d'Estournel since 2000, "would like to have it, he is more interested than the others." It must be said that by buying Cos Labory, Michel Reybier would reconstitute the great historic vineyard of Cos d'Estournel, at the time of the classification of 1855. The viticulturist refuses to mention any amount, but let us remember that in 2021, Jacky Lorenzetti would have paid some 3 million euros per hectare of vineyard when he bought Château Lafon-Rochet.

Cos Labory produces classic-style red wine with great charm and balance, at affordable prices (32 euros for the 2019 vintage, rated 94/100; 29 euros for the 2020 vintage, rated 95/100). The RVF has distinguished the regularity of the latest vintages with a star in the Guide des meilleurs vins de France 2023.