Château Lascombes is one of Bordeaux's esteemed Second Growths, located in Margaux. What makes the estate's vineyards unique are the three distinct soil types--gravelly mound planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, clay-gravel planted with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and clay-limestone planted with Merlot. Another distinguishing feature is the predominance of Merlot planted in the vineyard. The wines are traditionally firm and unctuous, incredibly complex and ageworthy. Clive Coates on the 1978: "Medium to medium-full colour. A little browner, but richer-looking than the 1975. Medium-full, ripe, spicy nose... Medium to medium-full body. Some astringency but rounder and more vigorous underneath." (2004)