2001 Lascombes
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Tasting notes
Deep plum in colour, more concentrated than many 2001 Margaux with bags of charm and still fiirm tannins at 22 years old. Gunsmoke, rose petals, leather, tobacco, and a fresh cushion of mint leaf. The beginning of tertiary character is clear, but no rush to drink. A transformational vintage at Lascombes, as Colony Capital arrived in 2001, as did Dominique Befve as director, current winemaker Delphine Barboux as quality manager and Alain Raynaud consulting winemaker along with Michel Rolland. 84ha vineyard. 100% new oak, 84ha, 30hl/h yield, malolactic fermentation in barrel, with ageing on the lees using the oxoline system, harvest October 1 to 12.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2001 Lascombes is served from jeroboam. It has quite a fragrant bouquet with a marine-tinged nose, spice box, crème de cassis and a touch of orange sorbet. I notice this gaining delineation with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and structured with ample black fruit, quite Right Bank in style towards the white pepper and liquorice-infused finish that shows a touch of dryness. Not bad, though it is pipped by the 2005, so I would drink this over the next decade.
Low-key nose – well mannered but rather too reticent. Very rich on the palate entry and opulent. Almost hides the pretty tough, dry tannins lurking underneath this well worked fruit. (JR)
About the producer
With vines spread across 40 different parcels throughout the appellation, Ch. Lascombes is one of the most fragmented but also largest Médoc estates, with 120 hectares of vines, now owned by the MACSF insurance company.