LASCOMBES [MARGAUX] 2018 750ML

This is a dense and very structured young red with currant and citrus character, such as burnt orange. Full-bodied with chewy yet polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish.

This is a smoky, powerful wine that shows plenty of signs of wood aging. However, it is restrained by the fine berry fruit flavors and the intensity of the tannins. It will age well.

A bright juniper note leads off, followed quickly by a mix of warmed cassis, steeped plum and blackberry compote flavors. Silky and fine-grained in feel from start to finish, with a late flurry of singed wood, savory and dark tea details on the finish.

The 2018 Lascombes is deep garnet-purple in color and a little reduced to begin, offering tar and scorched earth notions over an emerging core of baked blackcurrants, plum preserves and charcuterie plus hints of bay leaves and underbrush. Full, richly fruited and laden with ripe black fruits and earthy suggestions, it has a solid foundation of firm, grainy tannins and finishes long and savory.

For me, Lascombes always manages to get away with its exuberance and powerful push because it combines this with floral aromatics and a sense of unashamed enjoyment. It has more of an oak finesse than some, as you may expect, and it's not quite as juicy as the 2015 and 2016 but it settles into the glass and shows layers of complexity, a big punch of fruit and clear ambition. Good yields of 45hl/ha. 40% new oak.

The 2018 Château Lascombes showed nicely, possessing plenty of richness as well as a light, elegant, weightless profile. Classy notes of black and blue fruits, smoked earth, and ample minerality all give way to a medium to full-bodied Margaux that’s not a heavyweight yet shines for its balance and purity. It’s going to fill out nicely with 3-5 years of cellaring.

The 2018 Lascombes is quite attractive in this vintage. Black cherry, plum, cloves, leather, tobacco and licorice all run through a succulent, supple Margaux that will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is an especially modern, fruit-forward style. Tasted two times.