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Larcis Ducasse 2009

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Franc

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Larcis-Ducasse

Label

Tasting Notes

A complex set of aromas ranging from coffee to forest floor, herbs, licorice, blackberries, cassis and cherries all seem to jump from the glass, and then are joined by a hint of charcoal as well camphor. This is an impressive, full-bodied, dense, concentrated wine that is more up-front and approachable than the 2005 was at a similar stage, but it is remarkably expressive, full-bodied, dense and capable of lasting 20-25 years.

Showing better from bottle than it did from barrel, this wine comes very close to equaling the prodigious 2005 that was produced by consultants Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. Cropped at 25 hectoliters per hectare from the limestone hillsides of this terroir, the final blend was 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc that tipped the scales at 14.6% natural alcohol. It is a brilliant sample of wine, as this has long been one of the great terroirs of St.-Emilion, but under-exploited until nearly a decade ago.

96
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2012

Gorgeous, juicy fruit, with light wood, full and velvety tannins, and loads of Indian spices. Though there's lots going on, I was expecting a little more.

92/95
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2010

The deep garnet colored 2009 Larcis Ducasse sashays out of the glass with compelling scents of kirsch, dried roses, Black Forest cake and crème de cassis with hints of black tea, cigar box and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tautly structured with ripe, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and perfumed. 2020 - 2040.

95
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (241), March 2019

Some development at the rim. Rich and super-ripe black fruits. Sweet and rather fruit-juice like. Polished and made with great elan. Super smooth. I think people would like this. The tannins have been well managed. It's just a little too sweet for my personal taste. Date tasted 30th March 2010. Drink 2016-2026.

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2010

Seductive aroma of crushed red-berry fruit. Exceptional fruit and flavour. Fine tannins, freshness and length. Real personality. As good as 2005. Drink 2016-2030.

18
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2010

Tons of ripe plum and damson here plus some bitter chocolate and balsamic richness that fill out the opulent body nicely. Generous supple tannins support the massive frame. Bold but long and harmonious finish. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

94
Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com, March 2019
Read more tasting notes...

This is another 2009 that does not live up to the extraordinary quality of the 2005, but it is a fascinating wine nevertheless. Composed of 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc, it tips the scales at 14.8% natural alcohol. The wunderkind team of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt has produced a dense, rich, soft, relatively seamless, elegant example of Larcis Ducasse, without the concentration found in the 2005. The 2009 reveals a generous sweet spot in the middle along with lots of glycerin, and a wonderful round opulence, but I did not see the potential complexity or sheer concentration of their best wine to date, the 2005. Look for the 2009 to age easily for two decades. (Tasted four times.) Dirnk 2010-2030.

91/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010

Tasted at the Association de Crus Classé tasting at Grand Pontet. A blend of 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc, this brims with ripe red-berried fruit on the nose with touches of wild hedgerow and wild strawberry. It is not as opulent as previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannins, very harmonious and refined with touches of cooked meats/savoury inflected the red-berried fruit. This is lovely, if just missing a little tension on the finish. Tasted March 2010.

91/93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2010
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.