Chateau Lascombes Margaux 2022 is a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru Classé) Bordeaux red wine from the Margaux appellation, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This vintage earned 96+ points from Jeb Dunnuck, who described it as "pure, seamless beauty," alongside 93 points from Decanter and 91 from Wine Spectator.Quick Facts: ABV: 14% | Origin: Margaux, Médoc, Left Bank Bordeaux, France | Vintage: 2022 | Estate: Château Lascombes (Deuxième Cru Classé, 1855 Classification)Production & HeritageChâteau Lascombes sits in the northwestern reaches of the Margaux appellation on Bordeaux's prestigious Left Bank. The 2022 blend is composed of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, with the balance split between Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Vinification begins with cold maceration followed by gentle daily pump-overs during a 35-day vatting period; malolactic fermentation then takes place entirely in barrel, and the wine rests on its lees for three months. What distinguishes Lascombes is a proprietary barrel rotation system that keeps the lees suspended, increasing their contact with the must and building body and volume without additional oxygen exposure.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with ripe dark cherry and plum before unfolding into layers of new leather, licorice, incense, and smoky oak. Deeper inhales reveal lead pencil, tobacco leaf, and a delicate thread of violet.Taste: The entry is warm and caressing, with a velvety edge that carries concentrated cassis and black cherry compote across the mid-palate. As the wine develops, singed black tea, wood spice, and walnut husk emerge alongside rich chocolate tones. The structure is medium to full-bodied, with a layered, elegant mouthfeel and ripe, building tannins that give the wine serious architecture.Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering notes of dark fruit, Madagascar vanilla, and Darjeeling tea. The tannins resolve with a fine-grained texture that signals considerable aging potential.How to Drink Lascombes 2022This is a wine built for patient cellaring and deliberate enjoyment. Serve at 16–18°C in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass; if opening before 2029, decant for at least 90 minutes to allow the tannins to soften and the aromatic complexity to fully emerge. A wine of this caliber is best appreciated on its own or alongside food rather than in cocktails or mixed drinks.Best For Cellaring for long-term development through the 2040s and beyond Gifting a serious Bordeaux collector a high-scoring Second Growth vintage Anchoring a formal dinner alongside aged beef or lamb Building a vertical library of Margaux vintages Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Lascombes 2022 taste like? Lascombes 2022 is a medium to full-bodied Margaux dominated by dark cherry, cassis, and chocolate, layered with tobacco, wood spice, and black tea. The tannins are ripe and building, wrapped in a velvety, elegant texture.How does Lascombes 2022 compare to Château Palmer 2022? Château Palmer 2022 scored 97 points from Jeb Dunnuck and is one of Margaux's most celebrated estates, but it commands a significantly higher price point. Lascombes 2022, at 96+ points from the same critic, delivers comparable critical acclaim from the same appellation at a fraction of Palmer's cost.Is Lascombes 2022 good for aging? Yes — Wine Enthusiast specifically recommends drinking from 2029 onward, and the wine's firm tannic structure and concentrated fruit suggest it will reward cellaring well beyond that window.Where is Lascombes 2022 made? Château Lascombes is located in the Margaux appellation within the Médoc subregion on Bordeaux's Left Bank in southwestern France. The estate was classified as a Deuxième Cru (Second Growth) in the landmark 1855 Classification of Bordeaux.What foods pair well with Lascombes 2022? Grilled rack of lamb benefits from the wine's dark fruit intensity and tannic grip. Braised short ribs mirror its richness and spice. Aged Comté or Gruyère complement the chocolate and walnut husk notes. Duck confit echoes the wine's savory, leathery aromatics. Dark chocolate desserts with a high cacao percentage align with the finish's vanilla and cocoa tones.What sizes does Lascombes 2022 come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, though Bordeaux estates like Lascombes typically also release magnums (1.5L) and other large formats for collectors.Is Lascombes 2022 worth the price? Lascombes 2022 positions as a premium Second Growth Bordeaux that punches well above its price tier in critical scoring, particularly its 96+ from Jeb Dunnuck. Within the Margaux appellation, it represents strong value relative to higher-classified or more sought-after neighbors.Why Lascombes 2022?The 2022 vintage marks one of the strongest modern releases from this historic estate. A 96+ score from Jeb Dunnuck places it among the top-performing Margaux wines of the vintage, and its proprietary barrel rotation system — designed to maximize lees contact without oxidation — gives the wine a textural richness and volume that distinguish it from conventionally produced peers. The blend, led by 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, delivers the structural backbone expected of a serious Left Bank Bordeaux, while the 30% Merlot contributes the velvety mid-palate generosity that defines Margaux at its best. For collectors and drinkers seeking a classified-growth Bordeaux with top-tier critical acclaim and genuine aging potential, this is a compelling bottle.
