Château Lascombes
シャトー・ラスコンブ
Margaux's great awakening — Axel Heinz leading a quality renaissance from 2023
A Second Grand Cru Classé in 1855 with 120 hectares in Margaux, Château Lascombes takes its name from Antoine, Chevalier de Lascombes, who owned the estate in the 17th century. Under American investor Alexis Lichine from 1952, the estate grew substantially. In 2022, Gaylon Lawrence Jr. (owner of Heitz Cellar, Napa) acquired the château and appointed renowned winemaker Axel Heinz — former technical director of Ornellaia for 17 years — as Director in 2023. Under Heinz's vision, Grand Vin production was dramatically reduced, Cabernet Sauvignon increased, and gentle infusion-based extractions introduced to reveal Margaux's true elegance. The estate's diverse terroir ranges from gravelly plateau ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, to clay-gravel and clay-limestone plots suited to Merlot, producing wines that age 10–25 years.
www.chateau-lascombes.com ↗Cuvées
シャトー・ラスコンブ
Château Lascombes
RedMerlot · Cabernet Sauvignon · Petit Verdot
Château Lascombes, a Second Growth estate in the Margaux appellation, is renowned for its modern, opulent, and hedonistic style. Historically significant, the estate underwent a major transformation in the early 2000s, focusing on meticulous vineyard management and state-of-the-art winemaking. The wines are characterized by their deep color, intense aromas of black fruits, violets, and spices, supported by silky, polished tannins. It offers a luxurious mouthfeel and excellent aging potential, representing the quintessential elegance of Margaux with a contemporary touch.
シュヴァリエ・ド・ラスコンブ
Chevalier de Lascombes
RedMerlot · Cabernet Sauvignon · Petit Verdot
Chevalier de Lascombes is the second wine of the prestigious Second Growth Château Lascombes in Margaux. Crafted from younger vines on the estate, it offers a more accessible and approachable expression of the Margaux terroir compared to the Grand Vin. The wine typically undergoes meticulous selection and aging in oak barrels, resulting in a refined profile characterized by silky tannins, vibrant red and black fruit aromas, and a subtle touch of spice. It embodies the elegance and finesse expected from the Margaux appellation, providing an excellent entry point into the world of Lascombes.
Who Is This For?
For forward-thinking collectors who want a second growth undergoing a historic quality transformation — top value among Margaux classified growths right now
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current direction at Château Lascombes?
- From 2023, Axel Heinz (former 17-year technical director of Ornellaia) leads a comprehensive quality renaissance. The Grand Vin is assembled only from the historic plateau parcels, dramatically reducing production volume. The new style is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, with gentler infusion-based extraction for more elegance and finesse.
- Who owns Château Lascombes today?
- Since 2022, the estate is owned by Gaylon Lawrence Jr., an American businessman and owner of Heitz Cellar in Napa Valley. Lawrence's acquisition followed 11 years of ownership by French insurer MACSF, which had purchased it in 2011 from US firm Colony Capital.
- What grapes are grown at Château Lascombes?
- The 120-hectare vineyard is planted with 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot. However, under Axel Heinz, the Grand Vin blend now tends toward Cabernet Sauvignon dominance (e.g. 67% Cab Sauv in 2022), reflecting a return to the estate's historic gravelly-plateau parcels.
- What is the second wine of Château Lascombes?
- The second wine is Chevalier de Lascombes (first released 1997), made from younger vines and less-premium plots. It offers an approachable, fruit-forward style with rounder tannins, spending 16 months in one-year-old barrels.
- How long can Château Lascombes wines be cellared?
- Grand Cru Classé vintages from Château Lascombes typically peak after 10–25 years. The celebrated 2010 vintage, for example, can be enjoyed through the 2040s. The second wine Chevalier de Lascombes is best within 5–10 years of vintage.