Château Lascombes 2023 has made its grand entrance, representing a key highlight of this year's Bordeaux En Primeur campaign.
Priced at GBP 595 (EUR 699) per 12×75, this release has drawn considerable attention for its refined Margaux elegance and substantial decrease in price from the previous vintage.
James Lawther MW aptly summarized the sentiment with his comment, "Margaux elegance at last," awarding the wine a score of 17+/20 points.
Critical Acclaim and Tasting Notes
Château Lascombes 2023 has received widespread acclaim from prominent wine critics, reflecting a strong consensus on its quality and promising future:
- Antonio Galloni (Vinous) awarded a score range of 92-95 points, describing the wine as "dark and virile with real intensity," and noting that "the 2023 will be a fascinating wine to follow."
- Neal Martin (Vinous) gave it a score of 92-94 points, commenting on the "restyled Margaux" and the "welcome new direction for the estate" with evidence of greater selection in the vineyard.
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent) provided a barrel score of 93-95 points, highlighting "scents of freshly crushed blackberries, cassis, and black raspberries" with background notes of menthol, dark chocolate, licorice, and violets.
- William Kelley (The Wine Advocate) praised the estate for its turnaround from past tendencies of over-ripeness and over-extraction, awarding it 92-94 points and remarking that it is "assuredly coming in from the cold."
- James Lawther MW (Jancis Robinson): Lawther's succinct praise of "Margaux elegance at last" came with a score of 17+/20 points.
Pricing Analysis and Market Position
This year’s release of Château Lascombes 2023 at EUR 49.2 per bottle ex-négociant represents a notable 21.2% decrease from the 2022 release price of EUR 62.40 per bottle. On the international market, it is being offered at GBP 595 (EUR 699) per 12×75, marking a 20.2% reduction from the 2022 opening price of GBP 746 (EUR 876) per case.
Despite the price drop, the 2023 vintage remains one of the more expensive recent releases. However, it presents significant value given the high critical scores and the estate's evident shift towards greater quality and finesse.
For buyers seeking alternatives, the 2019 vintage stands out. With a market price of GBP 475 (EUR 558) per 12×75, it is one of the least expensive vintages of the past decade, available at a 20.2% discount to the 2023 release. The 2019 vintage, which received a score of 92 points from Neal Martin, offers a compelling option for those looking to balance cost with quality.
Conclusion
The release of Château Lascombes 2023 marks an exciting development for both enthusiasts and investors. Its critical acclaim underscores a promising future, while the price reduction from previous years enhances its appeal. For those exploring back vintages, the 2019 vintage provides a cost-effective alternative without significant compromise on quality. Overall, Château Lascombes 2023 stands out as a significant and strategic release in this year’s Bordeaux En Primeur campaign.