Chateau Lascombes "La Cote Lascombes" Margaux 2022
(Bordeaux, France) - [VM 94] [JD 94] [WS 92]

About the Chateau:
On a hillside at the entrance to Margaux, in the heart of the Médoc, Château Lascombes is a Second Growth from the 1855 classification with a long history, characterized by pioneering owners and a terroir that reflects all the characteristics of the appellation.  Since 2022, an ambitious family-oriented renewal has been underway with new owner Gaylon Lawrence, Jr., a lover of Bordeaux wines, and Axel Heinz, a highly respected winemaker who excelled in Tuscany for almost twenty years. The latest addition to the Lascombes family of wines is La Côte Lascombes, a wine that showcases a new perspective from a single vineyard block of Merlot with soils of blue clay.

Tasting Notes:
This inaugural edition of La Côte Lascombes captures both the character of an exceptional vintage and the distinctive expression of this unexpected clay-limestone terroir in the Médoc. It presents itself with a youthful and intense color, hinting at great richness. The nose reveals vibrant, ripe fruit complemented by subtle notes of sweet spices. On the palate, the sumptuous balance of the vintage is evident, with a dense texture and velvety power, supported by juicy, saline acidity- the hallmark of great limestone terroirs.

Vintage:
2022 follows the recent trend of vintages full of surprises. The vintage began with a relatively dry winter, which did not fully replenish water reserves. On April th, a spring frost once again affected early vegetation. Fortunately, nature was kind and spared our vines. Flowering took place under favorable weather conditions, followed by slow veraison due to drought. However, this was offset by a rapid ripening of the berries, which became highly concentrated and rich, leading us to harvest the Merlot from La Côte in just two days during the first half of September.

Aging: 18 months in oak barrels and casks ( 60% new)
Varietal: 100% Merlot
Alcohol: 14.5%

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 La Côte de Lascombes is a new Merlot-based wine from Lascombes. It emerges from a few small blocks planted on clay/limestone soils that are very different from the gravelly soils that are more common in the château's holdings. Plump, juicy and seductive, the 2022 is a total charmer. Silky contours wrap around a core of pliant red/purplish-toned fruit. Sweet spice, flowers, mocha and a discreet touch of oak add layers of dimension as this opens over time. What a beautiful and promising wine it is. La Côte shows a bit more freshness and a lighter hand with oak than has been the norm at Lascombes. This is an impressive debut, especially considering Technical Director Axel Heintz arrived at Lascombes after harvest. Then again, Heintz spent more than 15 years at Masseto and Ornellaia, so he has considerable experience getting the most out of Merlot. (Drink between 2028-2042)." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2025)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A new wine from this château that's made from 100% Merlot planted on the more limestone portions of the estate, the 2022 La Cotes Lascombes has a ruby/purple hue to go with a supple, layered, beautifully textured style. It offers notes of eed and black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, and beautifully integrated oak. I love its overall balance, it has ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It should keep for at least two decades." (Feb 2025)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This captures the suave and generous fruit of the vintage nicely, letting dark plum and mulberry compote notes unfurl steadily, carried by a cushy structure and infused with subtle accents of chalky minerality, violet and incense. Best from 2027 through 2037. 3,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported." - JM (Sep 2025)