2019 Château Larcis-Ducasse Grand Cru Saint-Émilion

This 10 hectare property is situated close to Pavie on the best south-facing slope in Saint Emilion. In 2002, Nicolas Thienpont and Stéphane Derenoncourt of neighbouring Pavie Macquin, took control of both the vineyard and the winemaking and the wines here have become rather concentrated and inky in style. The vineyard is planted with 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc. The 2018 was picked from September 21st to October 4th and the yield was 32 hl/ha. 89% Merlot.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Jeb Dunnuck - "Coming from an incredible terroir on the Côte Pavie, which is a south-facing hillside of clay and limestone soils, the 2019 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a deep purple color as well as classic Saint-Emilion minerality in its chocolatey dark fruits, scorched earth, camphor, and tobacco aromas and flavors. This rich, full-bodied effort shows the more elegant, supple style of the vintage, yet it still has building tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a great finish. It's certainly in the same ballpark as the 2015 and 2016, and while a few years of bottle age will do it well, it should be relatively accessible in its youth. Barrel Sample: 96-98"


James Suckling - "Baked-plum aromas., together with candied spices, earth, tobacco and light coffee, following through to a full body with firm yet polished tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. It really builds and shows loads of structure and intensity. Give it time to soften slightly, but the flavors and texture are already balanced and sophisticated. Classic style to this. The palate really builds. Try after 2026."


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "Composed of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Larcis Ducasse was harvested from the 25th of September to the 7th of October. Yields were 38.5 hectoliters per hectare this year, with around 70% of production going into the grand vin. Deep garnet-purple in color, it sails out of the glass with effortlessly graceful notes of fresh blackberries, warm red and black plums and mulberries plus hints of cedar chest, potpourri, powdered cinnamon and clove oil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is quite tightly wound, giving glimpses of spice and mineral layers among the black fruits and firm, rounded tannins, finishing with bags of freshness and energy. About 2,850 cases are anticipated to be made. Barrel Sample:(95-97)+"


Wine Enthusiast - "From vines within the Ducru-Beaucaillou vineyard this is a major wine in its own right. It is generous in rich in blackberry flavors, serious tannins and a complex balance between acidity and ripe fruitiness. It will obviously age well. Barrel Sample: 94-96"


Wine Spectator - "Lushly layered with dark plum, fig and blackberry compote flavors, this is inlaid with singed alder and licorice root notes. Sports a burst of tobacco and warm earth hints through the finish, all while the fruit keeps pace. A lingering echo of violet is a sign of some buried purity as well. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025"


Decanter - "This is intense, pretty austere as is often the case with a young Larcis Ducasse, and very much with Cabernet fruits dominant even though they are 12% of the blend (it is rather that the Merlot on these limestone soils takes on a depth and seriousness that makes it almost Left Bank in feel). Opens up to reveal fleshy cassis and blackberry. A yield of 38.5hl/ha. Owned by Famille Gratiot-Attmane, but with the Nicolas Thienpont team overseeing winemaking."