2020 Lascombes

The 2020 Lascombes has a discrete, finely delineated bouquet that unfolds in the glass with blackberry, bilberry, crushed violet and a touch of iodine. The palate is medium-bodied with sour cherry and brown spices on the entry. It's drier than expected with espresso notes on the finish. Although the nose has more pedigree than the palate, this does need time and is superior to many vintages from the previous decade. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

The 2020 Lascombes offers up rich aromas of blackberry preserve, mint chocolate and plum liqueur, followed by a medium to full-bodied, firm and heavily extracted palate, concluding with a chewy, somewhat drying finish. If the inherent charm of the 2019 vintage did much to mitigate this heavy-handed style of winemaking, the tannins of 2020 are less forgiving.

Tasted on multiple occasions, the 2020 Château Lascombes is clearly another brilliant wine from this château that readers will love. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a classic bouquet of cassis, dried flowers, freshly sharpened pencils, and obvious minerality, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, has a layered, elegant mouthfeel, lots of building tannins, and a great finish. It's going to need 4-6 years at a minimum but is some serious Margaux brilliance that will have 30 years of longevity.