History: Chateau Lascombes was
founded in the early 1600's by the Lascombes family. The
current chateau was built between 1875 and 1880. Lascombes
earned a ranking as a second growth in the Medoc Classification
of 1855. At that time it was owned by Chaix d'Est-Ange
who was a general under Napoleon III.
Through the early 1900s, the chateau passed
though several owners who did little to improve its wines and
vineyards. In the 1950's, Alexis Lichine purchased the
chateau and began to realize its potential. The property
was sold in 1971 to BASS, it's current owners. They have
given the support needed to continue a steady improvement in
the wines.
Vinification and aging: Harvesting of
the grapes are always done by hand so as to discard grapes that
are overripe or unripe. The wine is fermented in temperature
controlled, stainless steel tanks. Varieties are vinified separately.
The Merlots undergo malolactic fermentation in new French oak
casks. Once the assemblage has been performed , the wine
is aged in oak casks for 18 months. About 1/2 of the barrels
for Chateau Lascomes first wines are new each year. For
the second wine, about 1/4 of the barrels are new each year.
A fining of the wines with egg whites is performed before bottling.
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