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Larcis Ducasse 2012

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

This great terroir, long owned by the Gratiot family, has come to life under the inspired winemaking of Nicolas Thienpont and Stéphane Derenoncourt. Some recent vintages have been legendary efforts, especially 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The 2012 (83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc) is right in the competition, with an inky, opaque, bluish/purple color, gorgeously sweet, rich nose of black raspberries, black cherries and currants, and licorice. The wine hits the palate with a full-bodied, thunderous effect. This blend tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol, which is indicative of its fabulously exposed vineyard on a full, steep limestone slope with a primarily southern exposure. This is full-bodied, ripe and one of the great stars of the vintage – again. The wine has full-bodied texture, gorgeous purity, richness and length. Drink it over the next 20 years

95
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (218), April 2015

The Larcis-Ducasse is a blend of 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc picked on 11th-18th October and 18th October respectively, cropped at 28hl/ha. The nose is very complete even at this primal stage with copious but regimented dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit - the oak seamless integrated and lending it great volume. The palate is ripe and sexy on the entry with seamless tannins and a velvety texture. It is very controlled, very focused - modern in style but filled to the brim with panache. Nothing out of place here! Very good potential. Tasted April 2013.

93/95
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, May 2013

This shows so much class and balance with blackberry and mushroom character. Some wet earth. It makes you want to drink it! Fine and ripe tannins. Gorgeous. Drink in 2018.

95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2015

Deep dark cherry colour. Fine and dry and so fresh. Feels like a breath of summer. But it is not particularly light - good length - just no excess weight. Maybe just a very slight bitterness on the finish? (JH)

17-
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2013

Situated next to Château Pavie, on 11 hectares of south-facing slopes with marked levels
of limestone. This has all the wine's usual succulence and power, but the oak seems better
integrated than it sometimes is, with attractive, oyster shell-like minerality and a fine,
balanced finish.
Drink: 2020-30

93
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2013
Read more tasting notes...

The 2012 exhibits notes of licorice, truffles, lead pencil shavings, barbecued meats, blackberries, black raspberries and a hint of espresso roast. Sweet new oak notes are apparent in the back of the wine, but its abundant fruit, full-bodied mouthfeel, and multidimensional texture as well as length, make for an impressive showing. This wine will need 3-4 years of cellaring and should keep for 20 years or more. Bravo! If you haven't yet jumped on the Larcis Ducasse bandwagon, it's time to do so.

Even if the 2012 is not as potentially prodigious as the 2005 and 2010, it is a remarkable effort. Yields were kept to 23 hectoliters per hectare by the brilliant team of Nicolas Thienpont, Stephane Derenoncourt, David Suire and Julien Lavenu. The final blend of 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc has produced a powerhouse with 14.5% natural alcohol. This team's goal is undoubtedly to elevate Larcis Ducasse to the status of Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Pavie and Angelus. They are well on their way.

93/95
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (206), April 2013
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.