Château Lascombes, Margaux (Bordeaux, France) 2017

 Château Lascombes, in the Margaux appellation, was designated as a Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification and thus has a long history of fine wine production.  Like many chateaux, Lascombes endured some challenging economic times in the post-WWII era.  In recent decades, however, Lascombes has regained its quality focus and the 2017 Lascombes lives up to its lofty designation.  This is a lovely example of Margaux style.  Ripe blackcurrant, black cherry and plum fruits are interwoven with hints of vanilla, violets, cedar, smoke and baking spices plus subtle tones of herbs and earth.  On the palate, it is impressive for the purity of its fruit and layering of complex flavors.  The 2017 Lascombes, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Merlot (40%) and Petit Verdot (3%) is a fine Bordeaux that will begin to show its best in another five years and will cellar well for two decades beyond that.