Château Lascombes

Identity

Château Lascombes is a Margaux Second Grand Cru Classé. It is located in the commune of Margaux. Since 2022, the Lawrence family has been the majority owner of the estate, in partnership with Carlton McCoy. Axel Heinz serves as its managing director.

History and Philosophy

The history of Château Lascombes dates back to 1681 with Antoine de Lascombes, the first recorded owner. In the 18th century, the estate was ranked as a second cru in the 1776 classification of Guyenne wines. After belonging to the Lascombes family, and then to Monsieur Loraigue in the early 1820s, the estate was acquired in 1867 by Gustave Louis Chaix d'Est-Ange. Under his direction, construction began on the English neo-gothic style château, designed by the architect Louis Garros. The 1855 classification confirmed its status as a Second Grand Cru Classé.

In the 20th century, Alexis Lichine managed the estate from 1952 to 1971. In 1971, Château Lascombes was sold to the British group Bass-Charrington. In 2001, it was acquired by Colony Capital, with Dominique Befve taking over management. In 2011, MACSF (Mutuelle d'assurances du corps de santé français) purchased the estate. In 2022, the Lawrence family, through Lawrence Wine Estates, acquired a majority stake in the property, with MACSF retaining roughly one-third of the shares. This acquisition marked the dawn of a new era for the estate, which notably introduced a new technical facility for the vat room and refreshed the design of its label in 2022 to return to the historic coat of arms. The estate is actively committed to biodiversity.

The Appellations

Château Lascombes produces wines under the Margaux appellation, as well as in Haut-Médoc.

Practical Information

Address: 1, cours de Verdun, 33460 Margaux

Telephone: +33 (0)5 57 88 70 66

Email: contact@chateau-lascombes.fr

Visits and tastings are by appointment only, Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Cellar door sales are available at the estate.

Find Out More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The Château Lascombes vineyard extends over an area of approximately 115 to 120 hectares, including 10 hectares in the Haut-Médoc appellation. It is set on a gravel knoll rising to an altitude of 20 metres, composed of gravel, clay-gravel, and clay-limestone soils. Certain parcels feature seams of blue clay over limestone bedrock, particularly in the lieu-dit of La Côte. The gravel soils are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, whereas the clay-limestone and clay-gravel soils are well suited to Merlot. The vineyard comprises around 60 parcels.

The red grape variety plantings consist of Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Merlot (48%), Petit Verdot (3%), and Cabernet Franc (1%). The average age of the vines is thirty-five years. The vines are trained using the double Guyot system, and harvesting is carried out by hand.

Signature Cuvées

The estate produces several cuvées, including the grand vin, Château Lascombes, an 1855 Second Grand Cru Classé. This blend, in which the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon has been increased in recent years (67% for the 2022 vintage), is renowned for a style that marries charm, pleasure, and the quintessential classicism of Margaux. It offers a fresh, defined framework with long ageing potential, alongside a concentrated and powerful expression.

The estate's second wine is Chevalier de Lascombes. It is crafted to offer a fruitier, more supple profile that is accessible earlier, with a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot for the 2022 vintage.

A new cuvée, La Côte – Lascombes, was introduced with the 2022 vintage. It is a 100% Merlot wine sourced from specific parcels with clay-limestone soils and seams of blue clay, offering a distinctive expression of the grape variety.

The estate also produces a wine in the Haut-Médoc appellation, Haut-Médoc de Lascombes.

Vinification and Ageing

Harvesting is done by hand. Vinification for both the Grand Vin and the second wine involves macerations lasting 30 to 35 days. Alcoholic fermentations take place at 28°C, followed by malolactic fermentations at 21°C and post-fermentation maceration at 30°C. Vinification for the La Côte cuvée focuses on gentle extraction through infusion.

Ageing takes place in barrels, foudres, and amphorae. For the Grand Vin, annual barrel renewal ranges between 80% and 100%, with ageing lasting eighteen to twenty months. For the La Côte-Lascombes cuvée, ageing also lasts 18 to 20 months, with nearly 60% new oak barrels and a small proportion in amphorae (less than 5%).