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| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.3 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 512 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Ruby99 on 4/20/2024 & rated 93 points: A beautiful wine drinking very nicely right now
Brick at the edge
A barnyard and slightly scorched earth nose on opening blows off within 5 minutes to a more perfumed violet, cherry, cedar combination
The palate is medium bodied but has rich black cherry fruit with almost fully integrated tannins. The rich finish is persistent.
A wonderful surprise and sadly our only bottle (417 views) | | | Tasted by Purple Tooth on 3/25/2024 & rated 94 points: This is absolutely sensational. Again, tight, but less time to release. This one released in about 90 minutes and got better, and better, and better...Dense, thick, double woven dark red fruit swimming in beaming acidity and power. With time, tobacco, smolder of earth and cold brew coffee and lots of drive and punch. Just frigging fabooloso....Drink! I love it and love my gathering decision from years ago on this one. Wife smiled at me and gave me a XXXS... (927 views) | | | Tasted by Tom’s Notes on 2/27/2024: Drinking with a steak. Very nice, but damn I should have drank this two years ago or more. Comparing against a giscours 2005 I just drank in front of this. This bouquet not as good but tastes a little better. Again disappointed in myself for not already drinking it. People drink these wines! To be fair no decant. (1004 views) | | | Tasted by burgconvert on 2/11/2024 & rated 90 points: In a pretty good spot, on the barn side of things with some manure, tobacco, and cigar. Tannins almost fully integrated. Personally liked the ‘97 Napa a bit more but this was pretty good
Nose: 90
Palate: 89-90 (1114 views) | | | Tasted by IlliniWine on 2/10/2024 & rated 93 points: Fell in love with this as soon as I popped the cork. It was so open that I was a bit worried I had rushed things. Went ahead as planned, however, and gave it one hour slow ox and then decanted two hours prior to dinner. Gorgeous nose - beautiful dark fruit inflected with occasional red notes. Medium+ body with plush tannins and medium acidity. Balanced, elegant. Someone here on CT turned me on to this and I wish I could remember who because I'd like to say "thank you." Anyone who dismisses '03 Bdx hasn't tried this beauty. Wish I had more. (1134 views) | | | Tasted by DesMarteau on 1/20/2024 & rated 93 points: decanted for an hour....continued to improve over the next hour. dark still...subtle nose. starts off with a watery hollow mid palate...strong finish of dusty mushrooms, muted cherry, spice, lavender long finish...over the hour...the midpalate fills out. very subtle and well made/aged wine. (1350 views) | | | Tasted by EyeDoc on 1/5/2024 & rated 89 points: Green Bell Pepper dominates on the nose. Decent black fruits on the palate with moderate resolved tannins on the finish. Drink, (1270 views) | | | Tasted by Tonythefish on 12/9/2023 & rated 91 points: Medium to deep red color. Tobacco, blackberries and barn stones on front end. Opened beautifully in the glass and over next hour was very good. Paired with foie gras - what grows together goes together (1382 views) | | | Tasted by grossie on 10/2/2023 & rated 92 points: I've had this wine at least 10 times since release. Every time its smoky nature is what strikes me. Quite opaque, dark red. Moderate sediment. Smoky nose, but sweet rich fruit with a floral quality. Age detected on the nose. Big body, though I wouldn't mistake this for a napa cab or the like. High acidity. Tannins are relatively soft. Long finish.
This drinks really well. I think it would please winos and non-winos alike. A bit atypical for Lascombes, but 2003 wasn't a typical year. (1643 views) | | | Tasted by Ruminator on 8/31/2023 & rated 91 points: This wine initially tasted disjoint and awkward. Give it a plenty of time (3+ hours) to breath and shows its complexity.
Brett notes of leather and cured meat. Violet, olive, thyme, and tobacco leaf. Black currant fruit is dark, ripe, but dry.
Strong minty and herbaceous undertone adds charm. Saline and savory midpalate of black olive and cured meat. Finish with cocoa powder, spices, and licorice.
Medium plus body. High acidity. Integrated tannin.
Once opened up, this wine has a good balance, deep dark fruit and some complexity. It tasting nicely with some tertiary notes. I imagine more rooms for developments. (1649 views) | | | Tasted by DGS Wine Lover on 8/3/2023 & rated 92 points: Beautiful nose, soft flower petals, with a leather/cedar/tobacco scent. Full-bodied, with black currant fruit with fleshy tannins. Still has years to age.
2003 Lascombes, Margaux
SKU #1019824
94 points Wine Advocate
Outer quote mark This sumptuous, rich, complex Margaux reveals a fragrant nose of cedarwood, spring flowers, spice box, black currants and earth. Medium to full-bodied with silky tannins and a dense, plum/ruby/purple color. (RP) Inner quote mark (8/2014)
91 points Vinous
Outer quote mark Excellent deep red. Very sexy, expressive aromas of plum and milk chocolate. Sweet, lush and ripe, with considerable power and thrust for the vintage. Very 2003 in its slightly roasted character but this boasts very good concentration and finishes with sweet, broad tannins and excellent length. Fleshy and evolved enough to give pleasure now, but should hold up well for the next 10 to 15 years. A Margaux standout in 2003. (ST) Inner quote mark (5/2006)
91 points Wine Spectator
Outer quote mark Aromas of blackberry and chocolate follow through to a full-bodied palate, with big velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. (JS) Inner quote mark (3/2006)
90 points James Suckling
Outer quote mark Starts off a little earthy, but then turns bright and fruity with a wonderful intensity on the nose. Full bodied, with lovely juicy fruit, tobacco, and chocolate. Inner quote mark (3/2011)
90 points Wine & Spirits
Outer quote mark It's evident from the scent of new oak barrels that there's money being spent to renovate Lascombes. In '03, the roasted fruit is generous and black, long and flavorful; the texture is full and chunky. A clean and savory Margaux to drink in its youth. Inner quote mark (10/2006)
90 points Wine Enthusiast
Outer quote mark Finally it looks as if Lascombes is back on form. With its huge vineyard, a good selection of the best fruit has been the issue, and this has happened with 2003. It's not a huge wine, but there is smooth, polished fruit, layered with wood and dusty tannins. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates. (RV) Inner quote mark (5/2006) (1624 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 1/28/2023 & rated 94 points: This needs more aeration the older it gets. As with other 2003s it is no longer the fruit bomb of its youth, and now needs 3 hours + in the decanter to display its elegance. Dark berry fruits, cedar, and tobacco are prominent with notes of mint. There is a good depth and balance and a decent length on the finish. Aeration is the absolute key to this wine. After an hour in the glass I upped the score by a point. 94+ (2700 views) | | | Tasted by Fatty Cat on 12/25/2022 & rated 91 points: Late Dec 2022: popped and poured; deep dark red color; started very restrained in the nose and palate; opened up after 3 h; bouquet of red fruit compote, cassis and mint; furry with a juicy acidity on the palate; still plenty of tannins in the cheeks; long finish. (2277 views) | | | Tasted by no leashes on 11/5/2022 & rated 91 points: Smooth and elegant, with well integrated dark fruit, cedar, earth and mineral flavors. Drinking very well. I'll disagree with those who have said it is beyond its peak; I think this wine is right in its sweet spot right now. (2399 views) | | | Tasted by PMJak11 on 8/26/2022 & rated 92 points: Very nice! Dark red color. Cedar and earth throughout. Definitely at or past prime, but still has life. (2878 views) | | | Tasted by Mark1npt on 8/6/2022 & rated 94 points: Lots of barnyard on opening. Decanted 2 hours before dinner and it all blew off, cork out of the bottle for another hour prior to consuming. In a very good place, with typical Margaux smoothness. Nice red fruit, beautiful Bdx nose and feminine mouth feel. Went very well with veal tenderloin in a creamy mushroom sauce. It doesn't get any better in pairing an aged Bdx with a meal like this one. Still plenty of time ahead for this one. Still a few stages to go through, no hurry to drink them all now. Friends enjoyed it immensely. Another of those wonderful '03 Bdx wines that fooled all the 'experts'. Thanks for introducing me to this one, Jen! 94 (again!) bordering on a 95 (again!). (4203 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 4/28/2022 & rated 93 points: As per previous notes this is an excellent wine punching above its weight and is a delightful Margaux. My only complaint is that it's almost been impossible to source for the last 5 years. 93+ (2797 views) | | | Tasted by guitarro28 on 4/27/2022 & rated 91 points: Fully mature; ready to drink, w pasta (2340 views) | | | Tasted by kris.h on 3/31/2022 & rated 92 points: Showing some signs of maturity but still has plenty of life left. Very delicious. (2404 views) | | | Tasted by Fred and Lee Wine on 1/1/2022: 92 Had all the characteristics of classic Bordeaux. Long finish. Very nice bottle (2456 views) | | | Tasted by Fred and Lee Wine on 12/30/2021: Classic Bordeaux (2319 views) | | | Tasted by maaike2 on 12/19/2021 & rated 92 points: Short note at De kersentuin Wijn Club: from magnum: earthy, power, soft. long life ahead. real good wine. (2037 views) | | | Tasted by Harley1199 on 12/17/2021: Bottle opened five hours before lunch. No decanting. Cork in a perfect condition. The first scent is on the border between the umami sensation of Margaux and somewhat horse stable. It then develops a subtle scent of roses and beach sand with essence of violet water and marmalade of ripe blackberries. Finish with a hint of root liquorice. On the palate it is rather heavy than ethereal, with a mineral density that accompanies a thin acidity and a slightly astringent and a dry finish. Certainly not a trace of the vaunted heat of this year. Warmth in the esophagus is clearly alcoholic, from a plum liqueur.
This winery has changed owners so many times that one no longer knows what their style is. The only thing that lasts is Rolland’s consultancy. I feel confortable with this score of 91.2
Botella abierta cinco horas antes del almuerzo. Sin decantar. El corcho en perfecto estado. El primer aroma está en la frontera entre la sensación umami de Margaux y el establo de caballos. Posteriormente desarrolla un sutil perfume de rosas y arena de playa con esencia de agua de violetas y de mermelada de moras negras maduras. Finaliza con un toque de regaliz de palo. Al paladar se muestra más bien pesado antes que etéreo, con una densidad mineral que acompaña una delgada acidez y un final ligeramente astringente y secante. Por cierto ni una traza del cacareado calor de ese año. La calidez en el esófago es claramente alcohólica, de un licor de ciruelas.
Esta bodega ha cambiado tantas veces de dueño que uno ya no sabe cual es su estilo. Lo único que perdura es la consultoría de Rolland. Me siento a gusto con esta puntuación de 91.2 (2305 views) | | | Tasted by Lype on 11/26/2021: Powerful dark toned nose with cassis scents. The palate is rich and full, ripe fruit is at the forefront but no cooked vintage 2003 feel whatsoever. Predominant cassis supplemented by spicy fragrancy, rosy flauvors, pipe tobacco, leather and more. I like the way the palate is rich with fruit but the sour tones are a bit of a let down in the otherwise attractive package, could be a bottle thing, though. Tannins are still there but there is enough fruit and acidity to make this pleasant. Not the most sophisticated presentation but enjoyable in a way which exceeds the vintage by miles. (2244 views) | | | Tasted by NarunP on 11/18/2021 & rated 90 points: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon , 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Murky, brownish red hue, opaque, widened rim.
Aromatics are quite pleasant. Lots of dry violet flowers, sweet stewed berry notes, sauteed mushroom, cooking spices.
Palate is soft and evolved. Med low acidity, med body, dry. Fruit is on the drier side already. Cream chocolate. Very gentle month-feel. Finish has a good length and harmonious.
This wine is ready and not going to get any better. This reflects the nature of the vintage which is a hot year with early accessibility. I would not keep this past its 20th birthday. 90. (1785 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (3/21/2013)
(Ch Lascombes Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, March 2013 (3/1/2013)
(Château Lascombes Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/1/2010)
(Ch Lascombes Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | The World of Fine Wine, December 2007, Issue #18
(Château Lascombes) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (11/3/2005)
(Ch Lascombes Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, October 2005
(Chateau Lascombes Margaux) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, October 2005
(Château Lascombes Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (4/7/2005)
(Ch Lascombes Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2004, IWC Issue #114
(Chateau Lascombes Margaux) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Winedoctor and The World of Fine Wine and Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château Lascombes Producer website - Read about Chateau Lascombes
About the Winery Lascombes
"Chateau Lascombes is located in the commune of Margaux, Bordeaux. (Appellation Margaux Controlée). Classification: 2nd Growth Second label: Chevalier de Lascombes 84 hectares under vines. 50 hectares produce grapes for the first wine and 2nd wine. These vineyards have are elevated for good drainage and have a gravelly soil. Vines are densely planted with 8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare Yeild is 40-50 hectoliters per hectare. Chateau Lascombes was founded in the early 1600's by the Lascombes family. The current chateau was built between 1875 and 1880. Lascombes earned a ranking as a second growth in the Medoc Classification of 1855. At that time it was owned by Chaix d'Est-Ange who was a general under Napoleon III. In the 1950's, Alexis Lichine purchased the chateau and began to realize its potential. The property was sold in 1971 to BASS, its current owners. Harvesting of the grapes are always done by hand so as to discard grapes that are overripe or unripe. The wine is fermented in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks. Varieties are vinified separately. The Merlots undergo malolactic fermentation in new French oak casks. Once the assemblage has been performed , the wine is aged in oak casks for 18 months. About 1/2 of the barrels for Chateau Lascomes first wines are new each year. For the second wine, about 1/4 of the barrels are new each year. A fining of the wines with egg whites is performed before bottling." www.chateau-lascombes.com/gb/index.htm Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanMédoc Vins du Médoc (Conseil des Vins du Médoc) - Read More about the Medoc
VdB
The eight precisely defined appellations of the whole of the Médoc (from Blanquefort Brook to the north of the Bordeaux built-up area, almost to the Pointe de Grave) may claim the Médoc appellation. But there is also a specific territory in the north of the peninsula which produces exclusively wines with this appellation. In the great majority, the Médocs come from the north of the peninsula. The great individuality of this region is that the number of vines has increased more recently here than elsewhere, apart from a few isolated spots where vines have grown for many years. Today, the size of the small estate has brought about the development of a powerful co-operative movement. Four co-operatives out of five belong to the group called Unimédoc which ensures aging, bottling and marketing a large proportion of their wines.Margaux Read more about Margaux and its wines As with a large part of the Bordeaux vineyards, vines first appeared in Margaux during the Gallo-Roman period.
In 1705 a text mentions Château Margaux . But we have to wait for the end of the eighteenth century and the coming of the earliest techniques in aging for the concept of wines of high quality to develop. The confirmation of this was the famous 1855 classification which recognized 21 Crus Classés in the Margaux appellation. One hundred years later, the Viticultural Federation and the Margaux appellation of controlled origin were born. The appellation, which stretches out over five communes, is actually unique in the Médoc in that it is the only one to contain all the range of wines, as rich as they are vast, from First Great Cru Classé to the Fifths, not forgetting its famous Crus Bourgeois and its Crus Artisans.
In Margaux there is a predominance of Garonne gravel on a central plateau of about 4 miles in length and one and a quarter wide. To the east-south-east, it overlooks the low lying land by the estuary. Its east side is marked by gentle, dry valleys and a succession of ridges.The layer of gravel in Margaux was spread out by a former Garonne in the early Quaternary. Rather large in size, it is mingled with shingle of average dimension and represents the finest ensemble of Günz gravel in the Haut-Médoc. It is on this ancient layer on a Tertiary terrace of limestone or clayey marl that the best Médoc crus lie. All the conditions for successful wine are present : a large amount of gravel and pebbles, poor soil which cannot retain water and deep rooted vines.
It is customary to say that Margaux wines are the "most feminine" in the Médoc, thus stressing their delicacy, suppleness and their fruity, elegant aromas. This does not affect their great propensity for aging; just the opposite, for the relatively thin terroir imparts tannins which give them long life. The other characteristic of these wines which combine an elegant vitality, subtlety and consistency, is their diversity and personality. Over and above the flavour which is their "common denominator", they present an exceptional palette of bouquets, fruity flavours which show up differently from one château to another.
Production conditions (Decree dated August 10 1954)
In order to have the right to the Margaux appellation of controlled origin, red wines must:
- come from the commune of Margaux, Cantenac, Soussans, Arsac and Labarde, "excluding the land which by the nature of its soil or because of its situation, is unfit to produce wine of this appellation".
- satisfy precise production conditions: grape-varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Carmenère, Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cot or Malbec), minimum of sugar (178 grammes - 6.27 oz. - per litre of must) degree (an acquired 10°5) base yield (45 hectolitres per hectare).
Vins de Bordeaux:
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot
Soil: Gravel and silt plateau on a layer of limestone or silt on clay
Surface Area: 1,530 ha |
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