Margaux Merlot Blend

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Pretty nose with wild flowers, black fruits, light cedar, earth, Indian spices, dark coffee, tobacco leaf and herbs.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cedar, cooked cherries, spices, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn and earth.

Long finish with grippy tannins and tangy cherries.

This delicious Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Margaux is still so young, but drinking beautifully already. Rich and soft. Complex and interesting.

Showing good structure with a spicy nose. Needed a long time to open up properly.

This 2nd Growth Margaux is Complex and nicely balanced. Ripe and delicious now, but in your face kind of wine.

I had the 2018 not too long ago, and it was drinking better. Needs a few years to relax in the bottle. Would be nice to revisit it in 7 years, and will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years.

A good sipping wine, that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and a touch of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Aged in (60% new) French Oak barrels for 18 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$90.

This producer ebbs and flows in the vintages. 2022 not a great year for them. Approachable now to a degree.

A Bordeaux to drink sooner while you wait on other more long in the tooth.

Surprisingly, the only Chateau in the event.

WS Grand Tour Las Vegas 2025.

Raw red and black fruit. Leather. Sweet fruit tannins.

Bloody, leather, still vibrant.

2004 not the greatest Bordeaux vintage on record. Lascombes faired a bit better than norm. Paired with AB Lamb Lollipops.

The palate is round and lush. Ruby fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries, hints of purple & blue fruits. Round, semi-sweet lead pencil, charcoal, mixed mid berry cola, moist clay, sandstone, sandalwood, dark rich soil, dry riverstone, dark withering florals, excellent, round acidity and a well balanced, structured, nice tensioned, polished finish that lasts 90 seconds. Has another 10-15 years of good sipping properly stored.

Paired with the Olive Oil Poached Rack of Lamb, White Bean Purée, Spring Vegetables. @PlateandBottle

Night one at Bern’s, from deep in the cellar. Bottle is in great condition. Decanted and poured. Great color. Dark ruby center with clear rims. Translucent. Awesome nose. Notes of red fruit, cedar desk, dusty earth, Cuban cigar, cherries and some white pepper. Light on its feet at first but firms up nicely with air for a few hours, then plateaued before softening up later on. Really good showing.

Bit of tannins and acidity to keep it alive. Tobacco, burnt wood and smoke, dried, savory fruits. Better than expected on the palate but on the nose… not that great. It got better after 30 mins.

Blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, aged in oak for 18 months, deep Ruby color with aromas of ripe black fruits, cedar and floral spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum with notes of espresso and spice. Fine tannins, long finish, good balance ending with fruit, leather and oak. Give it another year if you can wait.

Lascombes has, in some obscurity, been building back to its 2nd growth status. It doesn’t get the kudos it deserves yet but this 2005 is exceptional. 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, it has a beautiful range of aroma and flavors: black cherry, coffee and vanilla notes, restrained violet and forest floor, it’s an elegant wine and still has its bright Ruby color. Surprisingly good.