Chevalier de Lascombes 2016

Still a bit compact, but it offers juicy black cherry and plum notes laced with a hint of briar, while sweet tobacco and singed juniper accents gild the subtly long finish. Best from 2021 through 2029. 25,000 cases made.

Second wine of Lascombes, from a straight 50/50 split between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A touch of reduction on the nose, as you can easily find in barrel samples, but this is still very attractive with a good depth and intensity. The finish is not quite holding together, even when tasted a week later at a different negociant tasting. Seems to be the oak swamping the fruit a touch.

This offers very attractive warm stones, spicy, brambly berries and nicely played, toasty oak. The palate has a bold, juicy and deep-set array of fine and sleek tannins that build nicely and evenly into the finish. Great balance and lots to offer. Second wine of Château Lascombes. Try from 2022.

Dark ruby, with purple reflections, and a discreet bright rim. Toasty nuances, black berry confit, a nice herbal savouriness, and some caramel. On the palate, dark berry flavours, complex, ripe vivid tannins, spicy; it has good length, some minerality, and fresh plum notes on the finish.

Lighter red fruit, fresh and medium-bodied, with youthful tannins, fresh acidity, and a medium to long finish.

Broad, sweet bouquet with elderberry, red cassis, young wood. Firm, medium-bodied palate with light fruit, sandy tannins, light sweet aromatics, and a light finish. 16/20 2021 - 2030

Pronounced oak, quite vigorous and full, with great ripeness showing almost chocolatey notes in the grapes; it won’t please everyone, but many will love it!

Garnet red. Bouquet of good intensity, clearly expressing its terroir with fruity and spicy notes. Lively and delicate on the palate. The wine is slightly creamy and already approachable. Best enjoyed in its youth.

(50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon) The nose is fruity. It reveals notes of wild blackberry, both fresh/ripe, and fine notes of fresh/ripe red fruits/red berries, with floral nuances, discreet hints of licorice (in the background), along with touches of spice and a very light menthol note. The palate is fruity, balanced, and offers a bright acid line, gourmandise, mid-palate fleshiness, concentration, a fine glycerol feel, tension, and a lovely fresh, creamy texture. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy/fresh blackberry, ripe/fresh strawberry, and fine notes of crushed blueberry and black cherry, combined with hints of licorice and discreet toasted/chocolatey touches. The tannins are fine and slightly firm/velvety. Good length. A very discreet hint of dark chocolate/espresso lingers on the finish/persistence.

Dark, intense, beautiful, and youthful color. An intense, fine nose with fresh fruit, floral notes, and a hint of licorice. Delicate on the attack, caressing on the mid-palate, quite perfumed, this wine scores points for its lovely finish that lingers on fine tannins. It’s very good.

The 2016 Chevalier de Lascombes is a very pretty second wine that very much captures the essence of the house style. Deep, plush and fleshy, the 2016 has a lot to offer. Bold fruit and sweet oak add to the wine's racy personality. The 2016 has come together nicely during aging. I would prefer to drink it now and over the next few years.