Lascombes Margaux 2001

93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot). Deep plum in colour, more concentrated than many 2001 Margaux with bags of charm and still fiirm tannins at 22 years old. Gunsmoke, rose petals, leather, tobacco, and a fresh cushion of mint leaf. The beginning of tertiary character is clear, but no rush to drink. A transformational vintage at Lascombes, as Colony Capital arrived in 2001, as did Dominique Befve as director, current winemaker Delphine Barboux as quality manager and Alain Raynaud consulting winemaker along with Michel Rolland. 84ha vineyard. 100% new oak, 84ha, 30hl/h yield, malolactic fermentation in barrel, with ageing on the lees using the oxoline system, harvest October 1 to 12. Alcohol 13%. Drink: 2023-2038. (10/31/23)"

92 points Robert Parker: "The 2000 was the finest Lascombes produced in over three decades, and the 2001 continues the great success this estate is enjoying under the guidance of Yves Vatelot (of Chateau Reignac) and Dr. Alain Raynaud (Chateau Quinault l’Enclos). A blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot, it spent 18 months in cask (4 on its lees), and was bottled unfiltered. A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by ripe aromas of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, and cassis. Medium-bodied, stylish, and elegant, with sweet tannin, impressive concentration, tremendous persistence as well as flavor intensity, and a 40+ second finish... (Jun 2004)"

92 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "This is the first vintage in the Capital Colony era at Château Lascombes, marked by the arrival of a new team overseen by Alain Raynaud, with Dominique Befve installed as manager and Michel Rolland as consultant. Suffice to say it was the beginning of a controversial era. Poured from Bordeaux jeroboam, at twenty years of age this presents a dark, somewhat oxblood-tinged core in the glass, with a faded and lightly burnished pink rim. The palate is really impressive, beginning with a honeyed texture which carries flavours of dark damson fruits and liquorice. This is carried along by a light grip of tannins which show a degree of polish and a tightly knit integration. Brightly framed and really quite delicious, memory suggests to me this is showing better than the 2001 vintage from my own cellar. Controversial? Maybe. A success? Certainly. Chapeau! Drink or hold. (Apr 2022)"

92 points (16/20) La Revue du Vin de France (Jan 2007).

90 points Wine Spectator: "Intense aromas of blackberries, licorice and earth. Full-bodied, with lots of smoky oak and medium ripe fruit. A wine that is well-constructed, modern and interesting. One of the best Lascombes I have tasted. American-owned. Best after 2007. (3/31/04)"

90 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Fully ready for prime time the wine is soft, round and on the floral, earthy, black cherry side of the style range. Not at all over oaked, as you find in numerous, subsequent vintages, the wine is medium/full bodied, delivering freshness and ripe, earthy, red fruits in the finish. (Sep 2017)"

4 stars, Highly Recommended Decanter: "Smoky, spicy plum notes. Sleek structure and a long finish. From 2010. (Dec 2010)"