Lascombes Margaux 2005

95 points Robert Parker: "A gorgeous example of Lascombes, the 2005, a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, continues the remarkable turn-around in quality that began five years ago. A stunningly opulent wine with a dense purple color, the 2005 possesses a beautiful perfume of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, creosote, and graphite, full body, silky but noticeable tannins, a layered mouthfeel, and a stunning, 45+-second finish. This is a brilliant, modern-styled Margaux that should age for 30-35 years. (Apr 2008)"

94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Impressive aromatics of currants, smoked tobacco, saddle leather, classy oak, and hints of truffly earth all emerge from the 2005 Château Lascombes, a concentrated, pure, layered, medium to full-bodied effort that has the vintage's dense, structured profile while staying light on its feet and elegant. This beautiful, finesse-driven Margaux is clearly in its prime drinking window yet has another two decades of longevity. The blend is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, all aged 18 months in new oak. Drink: 2024-2044. (4/6/24)"

94 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot). Inky purple in colour even at 19 years old. This is exuberant in the style of Lascombes at the time, and it is holding up well, remaining expressive and enticing. Grilled cedar and sandalwood, blueberry and blackberry fruit, oak more evident than in the 2004 which is perhaps surprising giving the quality of the 2005 vintage, and surely speaks to choices in the cellar. Malolactic in barrel, elevage on the lees for 4 months using oxoline. Less finessed charm than some 2005 Margaux, but hard to argue with the quality. 40hl/h yield, harvest September 21 to October 19, 100% new oak. Dominique Befve director, Alain Raynaud and Michel Rolland consultant winemakers. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2023-2040. (10/31/23)"

94 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guide to the Wines of France: "In the bottle, this wine is distinguished by its texture and tannins, which are more delicate and molten than most others (perhaps due to a skillful oxygenation during the barrel aging), but it should cellar very well. Gorgeous complexity of flavors. (2011)"

94 points Wine & Spirits: "A joyous Lascombes, this is the first vintage to hit stride since the US investment firm Colony Capital took over in 2001. It's a meaty wine draped in fragrant tannin, built for long aging. It's also an exuberant wine, in both the bright, red currant-scented fruit and the bristle of the tannin. A playfully complex flavor lasts for minutes, the wine still youthful and fresh four days after it was opened. Margaux chic. (Oct 2008)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "Dark in color, with an impressive nose of licorice, toasty oak, chocolate and blackberry. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. Very pretty and structured. Best after 2012. (3/31/08)"

93 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "Poured from Bordeaux jeroboam, this shows a deeply coloured core, particularly when compared with some of the more aged vintages poured alongside. It is quite opaque at its heart, although there is some evolution of colour here, as seen in the pink-oxblood rim. The nose is dark and spiced, and brimming with black olives, liquorice and star anise aromatics. The palate is no less impressive than this rather confident nose, showing a charming and richly textured presence, underpinned by great energy. It impresses with some divinely toasted dark fruit flavours, nuanced with smoke and cigar box notes of evolution. This is all supported by a frame of tannins which provide a sensitive grip which runs into the finish. This is top quality but it remains youthful even at more than fifteen years of age. I suspect another decade in the cellar would benefit it, although – having tasted much older vintages alongside the 2005 – I have to consider the possibility that it has many decades ahead of it yet. Drink or hold. (Apr 2022)"

93 points (16.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France (Jan 2007).