Appellations

Larcis Ducasse 2018

St Emilion, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

The 2018 Larcis Ducasse has a charming, pretty bouquet of subtle floral scents of iris and peony as displayed in barrel. This is very well defined with mainly black fruit, though there is more blue fruit as it unfolds with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Interestingly, after an initial flourish, it seems to clam up with aeration and reveals a firm spine that ought to safeguard its longevity. Lovely saline notes come through on the finish, completing a very accomplished Larcis Ducasse that will require 4–5 years in bottle.

Score: 94 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2024 - 2048 Date: 22 August 2021

The 2018 Larcis Ducasse was cropped at 33hL/ha from 21 to 26 September for the Merlot and 1 to 4 October for the Cabernet Franc. This has a more floral bouquet compared to the previous vintage: iris and peony aromas infusing the black and blueberry fruit, hints of orange rind emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity emanating from the asteriated limestone. There is undoubtedly intensity here, although this is allied by a linearity that imparts a sense of classicism. Great potential.

Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2024-2048 Date: 01 November 2019

The 2018 Château Larcis Ducasse checks in as 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc that comes from a gorgeous hillside terroir on the Côte Pavie, located between Château Pavie and Château Bellefont-Belcier. Aged 18 months in 60% new barrels, it offers a truly sensational bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, espresso roast, scorched earth, bloody meat, chocolate, iron, and bouquet garni. A massive, super-rich Saint-Emilion with a dense, concentrated, layered mouthfeel, it has building yet sweet tannins and incredible purity of fruit. Reminding me of the 2005 shortly after release, this heavenly juice offers astonishing richness and depth while staying flawlessly balanced and elegant. Sadly, there are less than 3,000 cases produced, but this monumental, legendary wine won't hit maturity for a good 8-10 years and will have 40-50 years of longevity if well stored. Hats off to Nicolas Thienpont and consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt for producing one of the wines of the vintage as well as one of the greatest young Bordeaux I've ever tasted.

Score: 100 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2031 - 2081 Date: 19 July 2021

Incorporating 11% Cabernet Franc, the Merlot-dominated 2018 Château Larcis Ducasse come from an 11.5-hectare parcel of clay and limestone soils, on the south facing hillside just outside of Saint-Émilion, and there are only 2,400 cases made, which equates to 72% of the total production. This deeply colored beauty offers a thrilling blue fruit quality as well as complex violets, graphite, and a liquid rock-like minerality. It's deep and thrillingly pure, with fine tannins and a beautiful finish. This is an incredible terroir, and the estate has been firing on all cylinders thanks to the talents of Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire. Give bottles 4-5 years (if you can) and it will keep for 30-40 years if you’re so inclined.

Score: 95 - 97 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 01 May 2019

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Larcis Ducasse needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock notes of crushed blackberries, plum preserves and boysenberries with suggestions of black truffles, tapenade and crushed rocks coming through, building to a subtle underlying perfume of roses and cloves. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating black fruits and loads of savory sparks, framed by firm, slightly chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and earthy.

Score: 96 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2024 - 2050 Date: 15 July 2021

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Larcis Ducasse features wonderfully expressive scents of baked black and red plums, kirsch, rose hip tea and cigar box with hints of pencil shavings, baked redcurrants and truffles plus a waft of licorice. Full-bodied and beautifully nuanced on the palate, it has layer upon layer of red and black fruit preserves with beautiful, velvety tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

Score: 96 - 98 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 23 April 2019

Powerful but with a sense of restraint, this is extremely well handled in 2018. The difference between this and a more massive St-Emilion is subtle for sure - it's unquestionably on the dark fruit register - but you notice it in the way that the tannins respond and bounce rather than stiffen up in the mouth. You can enjoy them as they close in around you rather than beg for air. The palate has lots of dark chocolate, liquorice and slate notes, with cassis and blackberry fruits. This is from south-facing slopes, so there's plenty of ripeness in the grapes, but the limestone helps to temper it, along with the natural water sources that are found at this spot. Owned by Famille Gratiot-Attmane, but with the Nicolas Thienpont team overseeing winemaking.

Score: 95 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2026-2040 Date: 15 April 2019

This is very structured and powerful with bright and electric acidity and fine-grained yet muscular tannins. Full-bodied yet compact and focused. Greatly formed. Flexing. Thoughtful.

Score: 97 - 98 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 11 April 2019

A wine of total sophistication and class, Larcis Ducasse is fabulous in 2018. Freshly cut flowers, bright red fruit, espresso, licorice and wild flowers are all vibrant in the glass. The 2018 marries fruit intensity, energy and structure like few wines in this vintage. The 2018 is deceptive in its mid-weight structure, but it packs a real punch. There is an element of precision in Larcis that is truly remarkable. Even with all of its intensity, Larcis retains its characteristic linear feel and drive. I loved it. Tasted three times.

Score: 94 - 97 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2019

A solid wine, with raspberry and red currant fruit adhering to chalk and iron notes, while ample grip drives underneath. Reveals a mouthwatering tobacco accent at the end.

Score: 94 - 97 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 28 March 2019