Chateau Lascombes Margaux 2016
(Bordeaux, France) - [JS 95] [WA 94+] [DM 94] [JD 94] [WE 93] [WS 92]

About this Wine:
Named after its first owner, Chevalier de Lascombes, this Margaux ranked Second Growth vineyard produces powerful, tannic, yet elegant wines. Once owned by Chaix d'Est-Ange, a General to Napoleon III, Lascombes encountered a revival in the mid 20th century under the control of Alexis Lichine. Lichine reconstructed the estate by renovating the vineyards and cellars. In 1971 he sold the property to the English brewer Bass-Charringer. Three decades later, Colony Capital bought the estate and controls the vineyard to date. Currently, the vines are comprised of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petite Verdot. Some of the newer vintages - those of the 21st century - show great promise, and should drink well over the next decade or two.

Winemaker Notes:
The nose is open and very expressive. On swirling the glass, the wine’s rich aromas come through with ripe black fruits taking center stage. Discreet notes of oak integrate harmoniously in an explosion of fruit aromas. The entry on the palate is flavorsome with an explosion of fruit coming through on the mid-palate. The wine is precise, concentrated, opulent and lively all at the same time. The tannins are soft and silky. The oak mingles discreetly in a lovely fleshy mouth-feel, while the finish is extremely long.

Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - James Suckling:
"Tobacco, meat and a touch of rust on the nose. The palate is tensile and pretty, with focused and grainy tannins. Beautiful, with a long, harmonious finish. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective." (Feb 2026)

94+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Lascombes features beautiful candied violets, Black Forest cake, cassis and menthol with hints of underbrush, cloves, pencil lead and tar. Medium-bodied with good intensity and firm, grainy tannins, it finishes long and perfumed." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Nov 2018)

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"In many cases these Margaux are showing better than they did at en primeur, the ageing process helping to fatten them up. Here, full-on aromatics spiral out of the glass, an appealingly seductive nose. The palate is austere, yes, but the tannins are tight and present rather than raw, building up in the mouth. There's a clear precision to the fruit, very carefully delineated and with good persistency, leading to a finish of cold ash, tobacco and pencil-lead. It's a wine to think about, to hold on to, to enjoy, and this gives full rein to the classy image of Margaux as the centre of delicacy and precision in the Médoc. Michel Rolland consults." - Jane Anson (Oct 2018)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2016 Château Lascombes is another brilliant Margaux, and I was blown away by this wine on two separate occasions. Sporting a deep purple color as well as a thrilling bouquet of cassis, smoked earth, charcoal, and tobacco, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, has obvious minerality, a big palate presence, and a terrific sense of elegance and purity. It’s a beautiful wine, and while I’d happily enjoy bottles today, it’s going to keep for 25-30 years." (Feb 2019)

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"While there are serious layers of wood in this young wine, it scores with its rich black-currant fruits and fine ripe tannins. It has structure and concentration, a wine that has great potential. Drink from 2025." - Roger Voss (May 2019)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This is dark and lush in feel, with alluring steeped plum and blackberry fruit carried by velvety tannins, picking up lilac, incense, black tea and alder notes along the way. Fresh acidity runs throughout, keeping everything detailed and focused. Best from 2022 through 2035. 31,667 cases made." - JM (Mar 2019)