Château Lascombes

The estate takes its name from Antoine de Lascombes (born 1625), who inherited the property from the Durfort de Duras family. Wine from the estate was first mentioned in 1700, and the property was originally known as Domaine de Lascombes until 1860. By the 1950s, the estate had fallen into neglect, prompting American writer and wine merchant Alexis Lichine to purchase it in 1952 alongside a group of American investors that included David Rockefeller. Bass Charrington took over in 1971. Colony Capital acquired the estate for $67 million in 2001 and invested heavily in modernization. MACSF, a French insurance group, then purchased Lascombes for 200 million euros in 2011. Lawrence Wine Estates became the majority owner in 2022, bringing winemaker Axel Heinz to lead production.

• Named after Antoine de Lascombes (born 1625); wine first documented in 1700
• Alexis Lichine and investors including David Rockefeller purchased the estate in 1952
• Colony Capital acquired the property for $67 million in 2001 and modernized extensively
• Lawrence Wine Estates became majority owner in 2022, appointing Axel Heinz as winemaker

Château Lascombes sits on the highest knoll in Margaux at a peak elevation of 20 meters. The core vineyard spans 84 hectares, though only 50 of those hectares are considered to meet Second Growth quality standards. Parcels are scattered across the communes of Cantenac, Margaux, and Soussans. Soils are a complex mix of gravel, clay, sand, and limestone laid over sandstone and clay with iron deposits. The climate is temperate oceanic, with hot summers and mild winters moderated by proximity to the Gironde estuary.

• Located on the highest knoll in Margaux at 20 meters peak elevation
• Parcels spread across Cantenac, Margaux, and Soussans communes
• Soils include gravel, clay, sand, and limestone over sandstone and clay with iron deposits
• Temperate oceanic climate moderated by the Gironde estuary

The vineyard is planted to 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and a small amount of Cabernet Franc. This Merlot-dominant composition is notably unusual for Margaux, where Cabernet Sauvignon typically leads. Winemaking takes place in a gravity-fed four-level facility, and the barrel cellar features a distinctive blue-lit interior with an Oxoline barrel rotation system. The resulting Grand Vin is a rich, full-bodied wine with concentrated ripe fruit, cedar aromas, and supple tannins, marked by notable oak influence.

• 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and a small amount of Cabernet Franc
• Merlot-dominant composition is atypical for the Margaux appellation
• Gravity-fed four-level winemaking facility minimizes pump-overs
• Barrel cellar uses the Oxoline barrel rotation system under distinctive blue lighting

Lascombes is the largest producer in Margaux by volume, releasing approximately 250,000 bottles of Grand Vin and 70,000 bottles of the second wine, Chevalier de Lascombes, each year. The house style is modern, delivering rich, fleshy, ripe fruit with notable oak influence. Standout vintages include 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2001.

• Largest producer in Margaux at approximately 250,000 bottles of Grand Vin annually
• Second wine Chevalier de Lascombes produces around 70,000 bottles per year
• Modern style emphasizes rich, fleshy fruit with prominent oak
• Top vintages span 2001, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023