Aromas of crushed blackcurrants and cherries with dried Provence herbs, lavender, raw walnuts and spiced cedar. Graphite, too. Full and muscular with a broad-shouldered, velvety tannin structure that goes on for minutes. Textured and chalky with a lingering finish. Very polished. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot and 5% petit verdot. Try after 2027.

Tasted on multiple occasions, the 2020 Château Lascombes is clearly another brilliant wine from this château that readers will love. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a classic bouquet of cassis, dried flowers, freshly sharpened pencils, and obvious minerality, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, has a layered, elegant mouthfeel, lots of building tannins, and a great finish. It's going to need 4-6 years at a minimum but is some serious Margaux brilliance that will have 30 years of longevity.

The 2020 Lascombes is deep garnet-purple in color. It has a powerful nose of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, with hints of iron ore, black olives, and Indian spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is generously fruited, with plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy.

Liquorice and cola cubes on the nose. Vibrant and punchy, this is forward and quite bold, with lashings of dark chocolate, slate, cola and clove spice, all very upfront and giving. I love the texture and overall weight. It’s not hugely ripe or chewy, definitely more sleek and suave, with a confidence and cool, mouthwatering acidity full of wet stones and saltiness. Still needs time to come together but refreshing and full of life. Gently muscular, with attractive sculpting.

A little more closed down at this point than the 2019, a vintage to put aside and forget about for a good four or five years. There are hints of what will happen when it opens though, as you'll find ripples in here of cassis, blueberry and bilberry fruits, with liquorice and cloves, delicious curls of woodsmoke and smoked earth. 60% new oak, 40hl/h yield, harvest September 10 to October 2, 120ha, 35 days maceration. Delphine Barboux technical director, Julien Viaud consultant.

The 2020 Lascombes has a discrete, finely delineated bouquet that unfolds in the glass with blackberry, bilberry, crushed violet and a touch of iodine. The palate is medium-bodied with sour cherry and brown spices on the entry. It's drier than expected with espresso notes on the finish. Although the nose has more pedigree than the palate, this does need time and is superior to many vintages from the previous decade. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. -- Neal Martin

Still quite oaky at the moment, so it takes a little effort to find its floral, spice and dark cherry essence. Round-in-texture with a lush, opulent, albeit, oaky finish, perhaps with time, the wood will become better integrated. Drink from 2025-2045. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2020%20Lascombes

Open-knit and direct, with a friendly display of plum and cassis notes carried by a polished structure. Ends with light violet and singed vanilla details. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2034.   – JM