Château Lascombes, 2ème Cru Classé, Margaux, 2022

The 2022 from Lascombes is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, the remaining 3% being Petit Verdot. A dark, opaque hue in the glass, and a highly scented nose laden with oaky dark chocolate, with notes of rose petal, black cherry, currant and black pepper. It has a dark and brooding intensity, but there is an undeniable sense of breadth and maturity here, and this shows on the palate which is finely polished and laden with bitter dark chocolate, tar, currant and damson, all resting on a firm tannic backbone. A huge and self-confident style here, with delicious grip, which holds together well through to the finish of rich and peppered fruit. This is impressive although it perhaps lacks typicity, although whether the terroir would come to the fore after twenty years in bottle – a possibility – is something we will only answer by coming back to this in 2042. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing what future vintages, under Axel Heinz, who joined Lascombes, in 2023, are like.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2047

date of review 06/2025

Lascombes is a vintage over the past few decades that has shown the heat in the hottest vintages, but while this is exuberant, it is well balanced with cassis, damson, cocoa bean, fennel, liquorice bud, peony and crushed rocks. Has clearly improved over ageing, which is rare in 2022. One to watch, especially with the changes that they have in mind. Good stuff. Lawrence Wine Estates owners, with Axel Heinz director, who did the blend for this vintage, but was not at the estate during the growing season.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2042

date of review 03/2025

The 2022 Lascombes was difficult to pin down in barrel. Now in bottle, it seems to have settled down a little, although I find a little warmth commingling with the black cherry, iodine and cassis aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a bold, ripe entry and peppery finish. This is a powerful Margaux, leaning more toward the exotic side than its peers. It's not bad, though my preference lies with the ensuing vintage.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2045

date of review 02/2025