2022 La Côte Lascombes, Margaux, Bordeaux

First vintage of a wine that has been creating a slow drumbeat of interest, as news spreads that Axel Heinz, king of Merlot in his last role with Masseto, has created a new Lascombes bottling focusing on the same grape. My feeling is that plenty of people will be surprised by the results, particularly in the uber-ripe 2022 vintage. This is not the powerful fist of fruit that would have been easy to deliver. It kicks off with richly layered and ripe raspberry, damson and red cherry, but they take the foot of the pedal at just the right moment, and allow the limestone-driven minerality and pumice stone juice to come flooding in. The plot for these grapes, called La Côte, has been part of Lascombes for over 40 years, but is not in the original 1855 footprint that is now being focused on for the 1st wine. 50% new oak for ageing. Lawrence Wine Estates owner.

A new wine from this château that's made from 100% Merlot planted on the more limestone portions of the estate, the 2022 La Cotes Lascombes has a ruby/purple hue to go with a supple, layered, beautifully textured style. It offers notes of eed and black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, and beautifully integrated oak. I love its overall balance, it has ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It should keep for at least two decades.