2016 Lascombes (Margaux)

The 2016 Lascombes has a decadent, but pure bouquet with layers of black cherry and blueberry fruit, the new oak conspicuous and (as usual) quite glossy and extroverted in style. The palate is very ripe with saturated tannin, bold and extravagant with a voluminous middle of blackberry, graphite and blue fruit. There is a powerful and heady finish; what it just lacks is finesse and that sense of personality. I tasted this Margaux on several occasions and it was one of the most variable samples, hence the question mark against my score. 89-91? points

Some beautiful aromatics going on here, this has the sexy, ripe focus that is a signature of this property under consultant Michel Rolland and director Dominique Befve. It doesn`t disappoint, and as ever for me it conveys a sense of joy and vibrancy in the fruit. The blend in 2016 is 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, from a yield of 45hl/ha. There is deep black pepper and cinnamon spicing, and while the tannins are a li ttle tight it has clear oak structure. A lovely wine that is a strong successor to the excellent 2015. 93 points

The 2016 Lascombes is done in a very modern, pushed style, with plenty of inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice and heavy torrefaction notes. It`s hard to see any expression of site here. The 2016 is well made from a purely technical standpoint, but it is also not at all exciting. At this level, a wine should aspire to more. There is little doubt that Lascombes is the most anonymous wine being made in Margaux today. 89-92 points

Dark blackish purple. I`d hate to be given this blind. It`s pure Napa Valley! So sweet! So concentrated! Not really Margaux but a mouthful of concentration, certainly. Drying finish with a slight suggestion of something underripe on the very end. Extremely different from most of its neighbours but the style will definitely appeal to some palates. Just goes a bit dead on the end. 16.5 points