Château Lascombes
A property rich in history!
Château Lascombes is a wine estate located in AOC Margaux. Although the vineyard was previously part of a larger and older ensemble (Durfort de Duras) the Château de Lascombes was created in the middle of the 17th century by the Chevalier de Lascombes. One of his descendants, Jean-François de Lascombes, who was then advisor to the Parliament of Bordeaux, prosecutor of the king to the admiralty and member of the Academy, devoted his life and his fortune to the construction of the castle but also and especially to work on the quality of wines. In 1855 he was elevated to the rank of second Grand Cru Classé thus concretizing the devotion, the work of several generations on the quality of the produced wines. Since its creation the property has known many owners, of which one of the most illustrious was Alexis Lichine who acquired it in 1952.
The building itself consists of a beautiful charterhouse built in the 17th century. It was enlarged in the 18th century as well as in the 19th century giving a noble, elegant and imposing Château mixing different architectural styles.
Previously the property had 84 hectares. Today and following an expansion policy carried out in 2001 Château Lascombes covers 120 hectares in AOC Margaux and 10 hectares planted in AOC Haut-Médoc. The property produces each year, on average 500,000 bottles divided into 3 labels: Château Lascombes (Margaux, Grand Cru Classé), Chevalier de Lascombes (Margaux) and Le Haut-Médoc de Lascombes.
Currently, since its acquisition by Colony Capital in 2001, Château Lascombes is headed by Dominique Befve (Managing Director).
Why did you choose to make wine?
“I have done many other things in my life but I have always worked in agriculture / agribusiness (potatoes, green beans, lettuce …). After 20 years in this sector and thanks to a wine tasting I wanted to change. But in the end it’s really by chance that I was able to retrain myself. I entered the world of wine following the acquisition by the Lafite Rothschild group of different properties such as Château L’Evangile. They needed to create technical positions to manage the new vineyards. I applied and was lucky enough to be retained.
I am an Epicurean, a ‘bon vivant’. Wine is a product that I like for what it is in itself and for what it represents in our culture. And it’s always nicer to do a wine tasting than salads! ” (Dominique Befve)
What is the signature of Château de Lascombes wines? What makes it possible to recognize them in blind tasting?
“It’s not often that we are able to recognize our own wines during blind tasting. It is necessary to remain humble, it is not an easy exercise. I would say that I make wines that I like and I like wines that are ripe. Attention I do not speak of over-mature but ripe tannins! I like when the wines are full in the mouth, with a nice material. I think that Lascombes produces one of the most concentrated wines in the appellation … one of the most mature. We also have a larger proportion of Merlot than in the other wines of the appellation. ”
Tell us about the Lascombes vineyard
“The vineyard is divided into three distinct groups, roughly equivalent in size: a gritty rump for Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, grainy clay where Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are planted, and finally clay-limestone plots where Merlots are grown. planted. Moreover Merlot dominates the vineyard blend at 50%.
We manage our vineyard in reasoned control, using as much as possible biological products. For example we leave the vine totally among grass in winter. This helps to combat erosion. Subsequently it is also transformed into organic matter thus favoring the microbial life of the soil. ”
Could you describe what wine represents for you?
“I would say: nature, pleasure, friendliness / friendship, femininity and gastronomy. ”
Do you have specific projects?
“We have just reviewed the entire wine tourism mechanism (July 2017) but we want to continue to develop it. I think it is a duty for Bordeaux properties to invest in promoting our beautiful region, our UNESCO World Heritage sites.
We are also planning to expand the Lascombes winery in order to consolidate our two existing vats, improve the technical tools as well as provide small vats to work on small plots. We will continue to work in gravity. ”
Do you have an anecdote to deliver on the property?
“It would seem that Churchill loved to drink Château Lascombes wine. He even stayed there for a few days … ”
Thanks to Dominique Befve and Karine Barbier for the warm welcome.
Château Lascombes
1 Cours de Verdun, 33460 Margaux
05 57 88 70 66
