Lascombes 2010 and 2009

Both the 2010 and 2009 vintages are crafted in a modern style of extraction that features balanced, silky tannins, richness, and length at the cru level. However, compared to the 2009 wine, the 2010 vintage is slightly denser and suppressed, with clean wood spice, sweet vanilla, toasty, and robust hints of cigar box and mint-alcohol for bottled wine at 14%. The 2009 wine, on the other hand, has slightly less alcohol at 13.5% ABV and is perfumy and floral, with adorable noses of creme de cassis, spring flowers, violets, roses, subtle barbecue smoke and charcoal, intense and pure fruit, dark, extraordinary purity, structure and length. Both are bodied and good enough at the cru level. Our dinner/tasting with friends convinced us that the 2009 vintage is slightly better due to its purity, structure, and length.

The blend for both 2009 and 2010 is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, which creates some complexities and has the potential to age for 20+ years. The 2010 vintage has excellent scores, with RP giving it a 96 and describing its modern style with soul and potential. JS gives it a score of 94 and writes that it has a full body, structured tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long finish, making it an excellent combination of freshness and fruit. This wine is delicious now and will hold for many more years. However, the scores are exceptional for the 2009 vintage, with GG awarding it a score of 97, describing it as well-dense, with long mileage, pure fruit, richness, and silkiness, with a great future. In 2009, Larsson wrote that it is perfumy, spicy, and layered with a long finish, making it an excellent choice for wine enthusiasts.

Both vintages have the potential to age for 20+ years, and the blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot creates complexities that can only improve with time. Whether you prefer the 2010 vintage with its modern style or the exceptional 2009 vintage, both are worth experiencing.