Axel Heinz spent nearly 20 years making Ornellaia and Masseto. The 2023 Chevalier de Lascombes is his first vintage in Margaux, and the 2022 Grand Vin is the first wine the new owners selected, from only the best 40 percent of the crop. Plus the last eight bottles of the 2022 Chevalier.

Second Growth · Largest Estate in Margaux · From $39.97 by the Half-Case

A Personal Note

Dear Artisans,

Last October, the Lascombes we offered sold out almost as soon as the email went out, and we had to go back for a final drop. This time we have three: the 2022 Grand Vin, the new 2023 Chevalier de Lascombes, and the last eight bottles of the 2022 Chevalier.

From Ornellaia to Margaux

Axel Heinz spent nearly 20 years in Bolgheri as winemaker and estate director at Ornellaia and Masseto. Masseto now averages more than $1,000 a bottle.

In 2023 he became CEO of Château Lascombes, arriving in time for that year’s harvest. The estate had just been bought by the Lawrence family, who also own Heitz Cellar, Stony Hill and Burgess in Napa. Their managing partner, Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy Jr., put the plan plainly: “Château Lascombes is a special place, and we will spare no expense to ensure that we bring it to its full potential.”

A Second Growth With a Long Story

Lascombes takes its name from one of its earliest proprietors, Antoine, Chevalier de Lascombes, born in 1625. The 1855 Classification ranked it a Second Growth, one of only five in Margaux, and in 1952 the wine merchant Alexis Lichine bought it with a group of investors that included David Rockefeller.

Today it is the largest estate in Margaux, with vineyards spread across Cantenac, Margaux and Soussans.

Why 2022 Matters

Wine Spectator rates the 2022 vintage 95 points and calls it “a new paradigm for Bordeaux.” Wine Advocate rates 2022 Margaux 96, which it classes as Extraordinary.

The 2022 Vintage

Wine Spectator chart →  ·  Wine Advocate chart →

The new owners took over in November 2022, with that year’s wine already made. What they could still decide was the selection, and they were strict. Historically about two-thirds of the crop went into the Grand Vin; for 2022, Jeb Dunnuck reports it drew on only 40 percent. It is also the last vintage made by winemaker Dominique Befve.

Axel Heinz’s First Vintage

The 2023 Chevalier de Lascombes is the first vintage made under Axel Heinz, as Decanter’s tasting notes point out. It is Merlot-led, raised in once-used barrels and large casks, and made to be generous young. Antonio Galloni calls it “a gorgeous second wine.”

James Tran

Artisan Wine & Spirits

Why This Matters

The Grand Vin · 2022

2022 Château Lascombes

The first Lascombes the new owners selected, from only the best 40 percent of the crop.

2022 Château Lascombes

Margaux · Second Growth · Cabernet Sauvignon-Led

Cabernet Sauvignon leads at 67 percent, aged 18 months mostly in barrel with a small portion in large foudre. Inky and concentrated, with pure cassis and dark berry fruit, graphite and licorice, framed by velvety, fine-grained tannins. Wine Enthusiast says start drinking it in 2029; Jeb Dunnuck says it will keep for 30 years.

2023 · Axel Heinz’s First Vintage

2023 Chevalier de Lascombes

The second wine of Château Lascombes, made under the former Masseto winemaker.

2023 Chevalier de Lascombes

Margaux · Second Wine of Château Lascombes

Merlot leads at 70 percent with Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Petit Verdot, fermented gently and raised 16 months in once-used barrels and large casks. Plum, black cherry, mocha and licorice, with a floral lift and a supple, inviting texture. Antonio Galloni says it will be ready with minimal cellaring, and Decanter gives it until 2038.

The Last Eight Bottles

2022 Chevalier de Lascombes

The second wine from the strict 2022 selection.

2022 Chevalier de Lascombes

Margaux · Second Wine of Château Lascombes

Merlot leads at 68 percent with Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 16 months in once-used oak. Bright cassis and dark, almost blue fruit with floral spice and a suave, silky texture. Wine Review Online calls it more complex and refined than most second wines, and Jeb Dunnuck expects it to evolve well for 10 to 15 years.

More Bordeaux

Four More Bordeaux Offers

Offers we have sent this year, from a First Growth to Wine Spectator’s No. 1 Wine of 2025. Tap any one for the full story.

1855 First Growth · Arrives End of November

Château Margaux 2003, Cellared in France Its Whole Life

Château Margaux 2003

Wine Spectator Top 100 · No. 13 of 2025

2022 Château Talbot, Three 96-Point Scores

2022 Château Talbot

Margaux 2022 · Second Wine of Château Dauzac

Aurore de Dauzac, 94 Points From James Suckling

2022 Aurore de Dauzac

Wine Spectator’s No. 1 Wine of 2025

2022 Château Giscours, 98 Points From James Suckling

2022 Château Giscours

The Bottom Line

Masseto’s winemaker, now at a Margaux Second Growth. From $39.97.

The 2022 Grand Vin is the first Lascombes the new owners selected, built from only the best 40 percent of the crop. The 2023 Chevalier is Axel Heinz’s first vintage. Both drop further when you buy by the case, automatically at checkout.

The last eight bottles of the 2022 Chevalier are here too, and when they are gone that vintage is finished for us.

Cheers,

— James Tran

Artisan Wine & Spirits

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