96pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The wine hits all cylinders in 2010. The average alcohol for the bottled wine is 14%. It has a gorgeously sweet nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers, subtle barbecue smoke and charcoal followed by full body, beautiful intensity, great purity, stature and length. The influence of any oak is minimal, despite the fact that 90% new French oak was used. Needless to say, this is an example of modern-styled winemaking at it’s finest, and arguments that such wines will not age well, do not represent their terroir , and are soul-less, are totally groundless. Give it 5 or so years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years. This is one of the great Margaux wines of the vintage.

96pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2010 Château Lascombes is flat-out gorgeous and might be the finest vintage from this château I've tasted. Based on 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that was raised in 90% new French oak, it has a dense purple/plum hue as well as a blockbuster-like style in its darker currants, cassis, smoky tobacco, incense, and graphite aromas and flavors. Beautifully textured, full-bodied, dense, and concentrated, but still graceful and beautifully balanced, it's clearly in its prime drinking window yet has another 2-3 decades of overall longevity. It is impossible to resist today.

94pts James Suckling

Pinpoint but rich fruit in the form of blackcurrants, licorice, fresh herbs, blackberry leaf and cedar. Full body, structured tannins, vibrant acidity and a long finish. Wonderful combination of freshness and fruit.

92pts Decanter

Expressive nose of sweet cherries, cedar, vanilla and liquorice. Juicy and upfront at first, then becomes tight and severe as the promised fruity fun closes down. Tannins are nicely supportive, but the fruit doesn't have enough density or vibrancy to really sustain the palate, which becomes a little diluted. Dry, powdery liquorice and cola elements on the finish. (GH)

92pts Wine Enthusiast

Wood-driven tannins dominate at this stage, creating a wine that is structured and dense. The tannins are layered with the weight of the black currant and plum fruits. Lascombes is still finding its style, but is definitely on the upward slope. (RV)

91pts Vinous

Bright ruby-red. Superripe but fresh aromas of cassis, plum and chocolate. Broad, sweet, rich and generous, offering considerable early appeal to its dark berry and chocolate flavors. Pliant and utterly seductive today, finishing with lush, sweet tannins. 

91pts Wine Spectator

Dark and nicely toasty, with ample espresso and ganache up front, followed by steeped fig, blackberry and black currant fruit that rumbles through the finish. Features ample tarry grip, but eschews minerality and finesse for a direct and toast-driven approach.

Winemaker Notes

Combining power and elegance and an unctuous and tannin-rich texture, Chateau Lascombes is a complex wine. In its youth, it always has an amazingly deep color. On the palate, finesse and a rich texture combine with very stylish fine-grained tannins.

Blend: 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot