Château Lascombes 2013 Grand Cru Classé Margaux Bordeaux

The Estate

Château Lascombes 2013 — A Margaux Second Growth with Renaissance Spirit

Founded in the 17th century and elevated to Second Growth status in the legendary 1855 Classification, Château Lascombes stands among Margaux’s most storied estates. Moreover, the château has experienced a remarkable renaissance since 2001 under new ownership, with significant investments in both vineyard management and cellar technology transforming the property into one of the appellation’s most reliable performers. Indeed, Château Lascombes 2013 represents this modern era beautifully, combining traditional Margaux elegance with contemporary precision.

The estate spans 84 hectares across Margaux’s finest gravelly ridges, making it one of the appellation’s largest classified properties. Furthermore, the vineyard consists of a remarkable mosaic of 118 separate parcels scattered throughout the commune, allowing the winemaking team to craft wines of exceptional complexity through meticulous parcel-by-parcel selection. This fragmentation, while challenging logistically, ultimately proves to be Lascombes’ greatest strength in crafting wines that express the full spectrum of Margaux terroir.

Terroir & Grapes

Classic Margaux Gravels with Left Bank Precision

Lascombes’ vineyards rest on the deep Günzian gravel beds that define Margaux’s finest terroirs, sitting atop limestone and clay subsoils that provide excellent drainage while retaining moisture during warmer months. These ancient riverine gravels, deposited millennia ago by the Gironde, warm quickly in spring sunshine and regulate vine stress beautifully throughout the growing season. Consequently, the estate produces wines with Margaux’s signature perfume and silky texture, yet with structure sufficient for extended cellar ageing. The blend for this vintage reflects classic Left Bank proportions, emphasizing Cabernet Sauvignon’s architectural backbone while allowing Merlot to contribute plushness and immediate charm.

Vinification & Ageing

Modern Precision Meets Traditional Elegance

The winemaking team harvests each of the 118 parcels separately, vinifying them in a combination of temperature-controlled concrete and stainless steel tanks that allow precise management of extraction and fermentation temperatures. This parcel-by-parcel approach enables the winemakers to tailor maceration length and cap management techniques to each specific terroir expression. Furthermore, gentle pump-overs rather than aggressive punch-downs preserve the delicate aromatics and fine-grained tannins that distinguish Margaux from more muscular Médoc appellations.

Following fermentation, the wine matures for approximately 18 months in French oak barriques, with roughly 50% new wood providing structure without overwhelming the wine’s inherent elegance. Meanwhile, the cellar team conducts traditional racking and gentle fining to clarify the wine naturally, avoiding overly interventionist techniques. The result showcases modern technical precision while honouring centuries of Margaux tradition.

Vintage Character

The 2013 Vintage in Margaux — Elegance Over Power

The 2013 vintage proved challenging across Bordeaux, with a cool, wet spring delaying flowering and a grey September testing growers’ patience and expertise. However, estates that practised rigorous green harvesting and selective picking during the fine October weather produced wines of genuine elegance and typicity, albeit without the concentration of great years. Indeed, 2013 favours Margaux’s naturally refined style over the power-driven appellations of the southern Médoc. Consequently, Château Lascombes 2013 expresses classic Margaux character: perfumed, graceful, and medium-bodied, with gentle tannins that will integrate beautifully over the coming decade rather than requiring extended cellaring.

Tasting Notes

Refined Aromatics and Silky Margaux Texture

The wine opens with classic Margaux perfume: violet, cassis, and pencil shavings intertwined with subtle cedar and dark cherry notes. On the palate, it displays medium body and graceful structure, with fine-grained tannins providing framework without aggression. Moreover, the wine shows excellent freshness, balancing ripe blackcurrant and plum fruit with bright acidity and savoury herbal nuances. The finish extends beautifully, revealing tobacco leaf, graphite, and a whisper of liquorice alongside persistent red-fruit purity. Although not a blockbuster vintage, this wine exemplifies why collectors prize Margaux for elegance and perfume rather than sheer power, offering refined pleasure both now and over the next 10-15 years.

Service & Pairing

Serving Château Lascombes 2013 at Its Best

Decant this wine for approximately one hour before service to allow its delicate aromatics to blossom fully, revealing the violet and cassis perfume characteristic of fine Margaux. The wine’s refined structure and medium body make it an exceptionally versatile companion at table. Indeed, it pairs beautifully with classic French preparations: roast rack of lamb with herb crust, duck confit, or tournedos Rossini. Moreover, the wine’s elegance suits dishes featuring earthy flavours such as wild mushroom risotto, truffle-enriched beef Wellington, or aged Comté cheese. For those seeking vegetarian options, consider pairing with grilled portobello mushrooms or lentil-based dishes that echo the wine’s savoury, earthy character.

— Discover —

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