2009 Lascombes
By Chateau Lascombes
2009 Lascombes from Chateau Lascombes, Margaux, Bordeaux
In the constellation of Margaux vintages, the 2009 Lascombes from Chateau Lascombes beams with a brilliance that can only emerge from an outstanding year. This velvety vintage, hailing from one of Bordeaux's most revered appellations, encapsulates the savoir-faire of a wine investment par excellence.
A Sumptuous Sojourn through Bordeaux’s Splendour
The 2009 growing season in Margaux was marked by optimal conditions, laying the foundation for a vintage of both generosity and grace. The terroir's quintessential combination of gravelly soils afforded the vines with excellent drainage during the warm, dry summer – thus carving the path for profound complexity and concentration in the grapes.
Upon uncorking the 2009 Lascombes, one is greeted with a bouquet that effuses ripe blackberries and cassis, interwoven with elegantly aged notes of leather and tobacco – hallmarks of a well-cellared Margaux. The tannic structure, now supple and harmonious, offers investors a wine that while sumptuous today has maturity on its horizon.
Decadence Delineated
The palate reveals an orchestrated symphony of flavours. The dark fruit core is layered with elements of cedar and spice box, all underpinned by a subtle but persistent minerality. It is noteworthy that the deft use of oak enhances the wine’s luxurious profile without overwhelming the purity of its fruit.
Decanting this vintage unfolds its tapestry further, releasing notes that hint at truffle and violet – a seductive whisper to the complex pedigree of its terroir. It is no surprise that collectors and enthusiasts seek out this particular bottle; 2009 Lascombes stands not only as an exemplar of its estate but as a banner year for Bordeaux.
An Investment in Elegance
Owing to the astute blending, with Cabernet Sauvignon’s authority softened by Merlot’s plushness and Petit Verdot’s vigour lending backbone, this claret is cultivated for longevity. Each sip reminds us why Margaux wines command respect on the global stage: they marry approachability with ageing potential effortlessly.
For those holding or considering holdings in fine Bordeaux, the 2009 Lascombes promises to be a prudent addition to any portfolio. Its present poise and anticipated evolution make it an intelligent acquisition for discerning investors poised to appreciate in value as gracefully as it does on the palate.
Market price (HKD)
HK$8,125.07
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
60.71
Scores and tasting notes
Aromas of black tea, blackberries, blueberries and coffee bean, follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Lovely mouth feel. Very well done. Try in 2019.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, February 14th 2012
The 2009, which is inky blue/purple to the rim, is a final blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot at 14% natural alcohol. The wine has a beautiful blueberry-scented nose with hints of acacia flowers, licorice, graphite and some subtle charcoal and background oak. Clearly a modern style of Margaux, it is pure, seamless, full-bodied and opulent, and the high glycerin and silky texture of 2009 are brilliantly displayed in this wine. Drink it over the next 15+ years, although it is certainly capable of lasting well past two decades. One of the more difficult estates to manage in southern Margaux is the 300 acres of Lascombes, subdivided into at least 40 to 50 separate plots, making harvest decisions, ripening, and related issues a strategic nightmare. Nevertheless, they seem to have hit pay dirt frequently over the last decade plus.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #199
The medium to deep garnet colored 2009 Lascombes reveals notes of stewed plums, baked blackberries and dried mulberries with touches of sweaty leather, raisin cake and hoisin. Full-bodied with a rugged, chewy frame, the mid-palate gives a good core of earth-laced fruit, finishing a little rustic.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 14 March 2019
Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Lascombes '09 appears to be meliorating in bottle even though it is comparatively reticent on the nose: blackberry, briary with attractive granitic aromas emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. There is a slight grittiness to this Margaux, but there is impressive structure on the saline finish and a crunchy, bitter note on the aftertaste. Tasted January 2013.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2013