Larcis Ducasse 2021

St Emilion, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes
A ton of spice on the opening beats, focused on cloves, black pepper, Sichuan pepper, raspberry leaf, oyster shell and crushed rocks. A little austere, still closed down at this stage, but with exceptional verticality and careful architecture on display. 34hl/h yield, 65% 1st wine a little less than usual, 50% new oak. Harvest September 29 to October 11. Score: 94 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2041 21 February 2024
86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Deep crimson to the rim. Aromatically discreet but fresh. Lovely texture of tannin, the fruit gently seductive. Less punch than some years but charm and finesse. Clean, if a little dry on the finish. (JL) Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2027-2038 13 May 2022
The 2021 Larcis Ducasse was picked from 29 September until 11 October at a respectable 34hL/ha, representing 65% of the total production this year. It has an almost gentle, atypically understated bouquet with brambly red fruit, wilted rose petal and light undergrowth scents. The palate is linear and structured, far removed from the occasionally opulent Larcis Ducasse of warming seasons. Quite saline in the mouth, this is distinguished by a liberal sprinkling of cracked black and Spanish Padron pepper towards the finely persistent finish. Classy and full of character. Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2048 01 May 2022
The 2021 Larcis Ducasse is a dark, brooding wine. The 2021 feels a bit pushed, something I am not used to saying about this cru. The 2021 is more power than finesse. Black fruit, leather, spice, cloves and licorice are front and center. Ultimately, the 2021 is heavy, with little of the nuance or sophistication that are typically so present here. Perhaps élevage will help. Today, Larcis is quite surprisingly underwhelming, even with the focus on core parcels that the château employed in 2021. Tasted two times. Score: 91 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2046 01 May 2022
This is medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Already has an expressive nose of blackcurrants, blackberries, white pepper, cloves and black licorice. Salty minerality. Fresh and fine. Spicy finish. Lengthy, too. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc. Score: 94 - 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 May 2022
A blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Larcis Ducasse wafts from the glass with aromas of cherries, blackberries, violets, warm spices and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, deep and attractively layered, with lively acids and a chalky, saline finish, this is a terrific effort. Nicolas Thienpont and his team were extremely selective this year, and the grand vin derives almost entirely from the slope, without much contribution from the plateau above. Score: 92 - 94 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 29 April 2022
I think one of the undeniable successes in the vintage is the 2021 Château Larcis Ducasse, which hails from a magical terroir on the south-facing hillside just outside of Saint-Emilion. There's slightly more clay here, so Larcis-Ducasse always shows a ample density and power. A blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc from healthy yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare, harvest started September 29, extending to October 11 for the Cabernet Franc. The estate favors whole berry fermentations in cement tanks, and the élevage occurs in 50% new French oak, with the balance in second- and third-fill oak. Sporting a dense purple hue as well as powerful aromatics of darker currants, chocolate, tobacco, and damp earth, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, admirable concentration, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Tasted on numerous occasions, it never failed to impress, and this is one to seek out. Score: 93 - 95 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 06 February 2022

Tasting Notes

A ton of spice on the opening beats, focused on cloves, black pepper, Sichuan pepper, raspberry leaf, oyster shell and crushed rocks. A little austere, still closed down at this stage, but with exceptional verticality and careful architecture on display. 34hl/h yield, 65% 1st wine a little less than usual, 50% new oak. Harvest September 29 to October 11.

Score: 94

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2041 21 February 2024

86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Deep crimson to the rim. Aromatically discreet but fresh. Lovely texture of tannin, the fruit gently seductive. Less punch than some years but charm and finesse. Clean, if a little dry on the finish. (JL)

Score: 16

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2027-2038 13 May 2022

The 2021 Larcis Ducasse was picked from 29 September until 11 October at a respectable 34hL/ha, representing 65% of the total production this year. It has an almost gentle, atypically understated bouquet with brambly red fruit, wilted rose petal and light undergrowth scents. The palate is linear and structured, far removed from the occasionally opulent Larcis Ducasse of warming seasons. Quite saline in the mouth, this is distinguished by a liberal sprinkling of cracked black and Spanish Padron pepper towards the finely persistent finish. Classy and full of character.

Score: 91 - 93

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2048 01 May 2022

The 2021 Larcis Ducasse is a dark, brooding wine. The 2021 feels a bit pushed, something I am not used to saying about this cru. The 2021 is more power than finesse. Black fruit, leather, spice, cloves and licorice are front and center. Ultimately, the 2021 is heavy, with little of the nuance or sophistication that are typically so present here. Perhaps élevage will help. Today, Larcis is quite surprisingly underwhelming, even with the focus on core parcels that the château employed in 2021. Tasted two times.

Score: 91 - 93

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2046 01 May 2022

This is medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Already has an expressive nose of blackcurrants, blackberries, white pepper, cloves and black licorice. Salty minerality. Fresh and fine. Spicy finish. Lengthy, too. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.

Score: 94 - 95

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 May 2022

A blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Larcis Ducasse wafts from the glass with aromas of cherries, blackberries, violets, warm spices and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, deep and attractively layered, with lively acids and a chalky, saline finish, this is a terrific effort. Nicolas Thienpont and his team were extremely selective this year, and the grand vin derives almost entirely from the slope, without much contribution from the plateau above.

Score: 92 - 94

William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 29 April 2022

I think one of the undeniable successes in the vintage is the 2021 Château Larcis Ducasse, which hails from a magical terroir on the south-facing hillside just outside of Saint-Emilion. There's slightly more clay here, so Larcis-Ducasse always shows a ample density and power. A blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc from healthy yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare, harvest started September 29, extending to October 11 for the Cabernet Franc. The estate favors whole berry fermentations in cement tanks, and the élevage occurs in 50% new French oak, with the balance in second- and third-fill oak. Sporting a dense purple hue as well as powerful aromatics of darker currants, chocolate, tobacco, and damp earth, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, admirable concentration, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Tasted on numerous occasions, it never failed to impress, and this is one to seek out.

Score: 93 - 95

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com 06 February 2022

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