Rating for France-Bordeaux-Margaux: 79 (bad year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: quite possibly over the hill<br/>

Location: Chateau Lascombes is located in the commune of Margaux, Bordeaux. (Appellation Margaux Control�e).<br/>Classification: 2nd Growth<br/>Second label: Chevalier de Lascombes<br/>Vineyards: 84 hectares under vines. 50 hectares produce grapes for the first wine and 2nd wine. These vineyards have are elevated for good drainage and have a gravelly soil. Vines are densely planted with 8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare Yeild is 40-50 hectoliters per hectare.<br/>Grape variety: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Average vine age is 30-35 years.<br/>History: Chateau Lascombes was founded in the early 1600's by the Lascombes family. The current chateau was built between 1875 and 1880. Lascombes earned a ranking as a second growth in the Medoc Classification of 1855. At that time it was owned by Chaix d'Est-Ange who was a general under Napoleon III.<br/>Through the early 1900s, the chateau passed though several owners who did little to improve its wines and vineyards. In the 1950's, Alexis Lichine purchased the chateau and began to realize its potential. The property was sold in 1971 to BASS, it's current owners. They have given the support needed to continue a steady improvement in the wines.<br/>Vinification and aging: Harvesting of the grapes are always done by hand so as to discard grapes that are overripe or unripe. The wine is fermented in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks. Varieties are vinified separately. The Merlots undergo malolactic fermentation in new French oak casks. Once the assemblage has been performed , the wine is aged in oak casks for 18 months. About 1/2 of the barrels for Chateau Lascomes first wines are new each year. For the second wine, about 1/4 of the barrels are new each year. A fining of the wines with egg whites is performed before bottling.<br/>Style: At maturity, this wine can offer a bouquet with a fragrance of ripe black currants, spicy vanilla oakiness and violets. The wine is rich and full flavored.<br/>Food: A perfect complement to lamb, veal, poultry and delicate game.<br/>