Lascombes 2009

A vintage famed for its ripe fruits and firm tannic hold, and one that leans into the style of Lascombes, showing exuberant spice. Black pepper, turmeric, smoked cumin, blueberry, blackberry, cassis puree, young in character and structure, less Margaux appellation typicity than you find in the older vintages, but it has a luscious quality, with a kick of eucalpytus helping to balance out the clear grilled and charred oak. Harvest September 28 to October 19. 90% new oak, and by this point Lascombes had risen to 120ha in AOC Margaux, making it the biggest of the classified growths. 43hl/h yield. Dominique Befve director, Alain Raynaud and Michel Rolland consultant winemaker.

Tasted blind. Lively deep crimson. Intense, ripe nose that is probably love or loathe. Very rich and sweet with some structure and some oak – still! A showy wine but far from unpleasant!Drink 2021-2032

It is very chocolate sweet, lush and fleshy but due to red fruit influences is not jammy. Oak is in evidence but does not over dominate giving spiciness towards the back. The richness and concentration is well balanced by red fruit freshness. Drink 2020-2040.

Fine black red, very good concentration of vineyard Cabernet fruit, quite dense with a nice spicy richness, good fragrance on the palate, quite broad and structured, will open early and last well. Drink 2014-24.

Very balsamic with slightly chewy tannins, this is a rustic expression of the vintage that needs substantial food to give its best. Plenty of freshness at the finish though. Drink now. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

Midnight oil? Dense black purple to the rim, the 2009 Lascombes has enormous concentration, with loads of graphite, blackberry, and blueberry notes as well as hints of pen ink and truffle. The wine is super-intense, full-bodied, fleshy, and rich. This is another wine that will compete with the 2005, which is certainly the best Lascombes I have ever tasted. (Tasted three times.)

Tasted at a negociant. The Lascombes has a ripe, sweet nose that does not exude the delineation of the Malescot St. Exupery tasted just before. Surprisingly, this sample is a little introverted compared to others, but that might change after bottling of course. The palate is medium-bodied but with very good weight on the palate; the tannins a little brutish at the moment, much more masculine and a little austere, although there is good delineation and perhaps less opulent than previous years. This should show its true potential after bottling...so one to watch. Tasted March 2010.

Intense and sweet with some digestive biscuit flavour. Long. Very hedonistic and complete. But worth waiting for. Drink 2018 - 2035.

Very dark crimson. Sweet malted milk plus linseed oil. Very sweet start and then lusciously worked tannins. A bit Napa Valley rather than Margaux but there is lots of pleasure here. Just rather awkward tannins on the finish. Date tasted 31st March 2010. Drink 2016-2028.