Marquis De Lascombes Margaux 2016 (Second wine of Château Lascombes)

Château Lascombes, a Fifth Growth estate in Margaux since 1953, releases this second wine from vines planted on the subregion's signature left-bank gravel plateau. The terroir—well-drained Günz gravel over clay and iron-rich subsoil at modest elevation—channels cool Atlantic influence through the Médoc, slowing ripening and preserving acidity in the Merlot-dominant blend.

The 2016 vintage comprises 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Petit Verdot, fermented in temperature-controlled vats and aged 12 months in French oak (30% new), allowing secondary maturation without overwhelming the fruit. This restraint—fewer new barrels than the grand vin—preserves the wine's mid-palate transparency and allows the gravelly minerality to surface.

As a second wine, Marquis de Lascombes captures the estate's house style (structured, mineral-driven Margaux) while offering earlier approachability than the grand vin. The 2016 vintage, marked by warm conditions and excellent ripeness, shows the balance Margaux achieves: ripe dark fruit without heaviness, tannin definition without astringency.

Drink 2020–2035. Peak drinking window: 2024–2030.