CHATEAU LASCOMBES La Cote de Lascombes , Margaux

Château Lascombes La Côte de Lascombes is a focused new cuvée from this historic 1855 second growth, drawn from a single 4.5-hectare block of old-vine Merlot on rare blue clay and limestone soils in Margaux. The parcel sits close to the Gironde and is surrounded by vines of Château Margaux, giving a cool, maritime edge that keeps freshness and natural acidity even in warm, dry years like 2022.

Winemaker Axel Heinz, best known for his work at Ornellaia and Masseto in Tuscany, has introduced a gentle “infusion” style of vinification here, emphasising fine tannins, purity of fruit and a taut, mineral line rather than sheer extraction, with élevage in French oak tailored to preserve the wine’s precision. The result is a deeply coloured, satin-textured Margaux built entirely on Merlot, with aromas of dark plum, mulberry and sloe, hints of bay leaf, graphite and black pepper, and a palate that feels plush yet refined, with remarkable tension and length. Early reports from leading critics place La Côte de Lascombes 2022 firmly in the top tier of modern Margaux, with scores in the mid-90s and praise for its “remarkable” tannin quality and freshness, positioning it as a compelling bottle for Australian collectors who appreciate both the classicism of the Médoc and the pedigree of right-bank-style Merlot.