Castle Lascombes - Margaux 2011

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014

Opaque ruby.  Rich aromas of candied dark cherry and plum, with a smoky herbal overtone.  Lush and open-knit, offering fairly deep dark fruit compote flavors complicated by a note of vanilla.  Finishes slightly short but fleshy and smooth.            

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2014

This large, fragmented estate must be a logistical nightmare for winemakers, but the 2011, a blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, exhibits a beautifully scented nose of spring flowers, black raspberries, black currants, graphite and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied and rich with supple tannins, this terrific example of Lascombes continues their qualitative revolution that began over 15 years ago. One of the stars of the vintage, this beauty can be consumed over the next 20-25 years.

Jamessuckling.com

91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

A brightness and beauty to this wine, with mineral, berry and dark-chocolate character. Full body but reserved and integrated. Very fine for the vintage. Better than from barrel. Try in 2018.      

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/11/2014

Solid, with a sleek, focused core of damson plum, red currant and red licorice, framed by an alder edge through the finish. Integrated and approachable now, this should age nicely in the near term. Best from 2015 through 2022.

La Revue du Vin de France

15,5-16,5 / 20

the5/31/2012

Comme souvent, le cru est majoritairement composé de merlot (55% dans l'assemblage du 2011), il en résulte un vin élégant, d'une belle rondeur, avec du gras. Un des Lascombes les plus fins.

Le Point

15,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012

Nez fruits noirs, bouche puissante, ample, tanins touffus de merlot, ferme, riche, épicé. O= 2018 G= 15 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88-91 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012

(a blend of 50% merlot, 45% cabernet sauvignon and 5% petit verdot): Deep purple. Perfumed aromas of dark berries and violet. Clean and fresh, with above-average concentration for the vintage to its of creamy-sweet dark fruit, milk chocolate and coffee flavors. Finishes smooth and long. This is yet another creamy Lascombes, but less overripe and low in acidity than recent vintages. In fact, Lascombes is one of the few real successes in Margaux in 2011.

Decanter.com

17 / 20

the4/30/2012

Well-extracted and polished cassis fruit, good depth on the palate and smooth tannins in the robust Lascombes style. Drink 2015-2025.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012

A blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot that tips the scales at 14% natural alcohol, the 2011 Lascombes is another knock-out effort. (Michel Rolland is the consultant.) Made in a more modern style with plenty of toasty oak intermixed with blueberry and black currant fruit as well as hints of licorice and camphor, the wine-s textured lushness on the mid-palate, sweet, well-integrated tannins and full-throttle finish result in an impressive Margaux to drink over the next 15 years.

TAST

16 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Original dans le millésime par ses notes de pruneau de haute maturité (certains diront surmaturité) du raisin, texture onctueuse, mais sur cet échantillon un peu de lourdeur en fin de bouche. Il faudra le revoir dans un an.

Wein Wisser

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2012

Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Gleich zu Beginn eine gewisse Tiefe anzeigend, Tabak, Baumnussschalen, schwarze Schokolade, dunkle Edelhölzer und Waldbrombeeren. Fester, konzentrierter, aber auch etwas extrahierter Gaumen, so findet man dann auch gewisse Bitternoten im Extrakt, Lakritze und wieder Brombeeren im Finale. Eine etwas softere Variante wäre bekömmlicher (und ehrlicher) gewesen. 2018-2039

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-91 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2012

From a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, the wine sports deep ruby color. Coffee, bitter chocolate, boysenberry jam and smoke create the perfume. Full-bodied, rich, ripe and round, the wine finishes with chocolate-covered espresso bean and jammy black cherry. 89-91 Pts

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012

The sample of Lascombes (50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) has a dusty nose that is lacking clarity although it clears up with aeration, although there remains a vegetal tincture. The palate is sweet and chewy on the entry. Grippy tannins, quite dense and masculine, it is missing some finesse towards the finish. Tasted April 2012

Jancis Robinson

15,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/19/2012

Drink 2017-2026
Richly aromatic – cassis, vanilla, violets. Much less aromatic on the palate and the tannins, though fine grained, seem to bring it to an abrupt halt and there's a loss of freshness at the very end. (JH)

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2012

Nice lilac, sandalwood and mulled cherry notes, with perfumy spice chiming in on the lightly fusty finish. Pretty.—J.M.

Wine Enthusiast

91-93 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/3/2012

Big, bold and fruity, this shows plenty of rich blackberry-juice flavor and fine tannins. The fruit and tannins are well balanced, with a juicy character on the finish. —R.V

Jamessuckling.com

88-89 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/1/2012

Straightforward with currant and berry character, medium to full body, and a delicate finish. Like to see more of a middle palate.