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Larcis Ducasse 2016

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

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. Around 83% Merlot with the rest Cabernet Franc.

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Label

Tasting Notes

The aromas here are so spellbinding with shitake mushrooms, wet earth and moss, as well as tree bark and, finally, dark fruit. The palate is incredible as it builds and grows with full body, but always tight and reserved. It shows so much depth and complexity. Please try not to touch this until 2025.

99
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, January 2019

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Larcis Ducasse sashays gracefully out of the glass with beautiful Black Forest cake, red cherry compote, raspberry preserves and blackberry pie scents plus hints of cigar box, Ceylon tea, dried lavender and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers gorgeous red and black fruit preserves flavors with a wonderfully plush texture and very long, perfumed finish. 2021 - 2049

96
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (Interim), November 2018

This is ripe and well extracted, tight, firm and a little austere, with a note of bitter dark chocolate. It's fresh on the finish, benefitting from its location on the limestone plateau with deeper clay cover in parts of the vineyard, hence the high 95% level of Merlot. This is complemented by 4.5% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% Cabernet Sauvignon with a yield of 48hl/ha, representing 47% of overall production in 2016.

92
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, April 2017

Very floral and sumptuous on the nose. Rich and round and perfumed. Lots of juice and appeal. Interesting! A hint of sweet leather. Grown-up wine.
Drink 2025-2040

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2017

From one of my favorite estates in Bordeaux, the deeply colored 2016 Château Larcis Ducasse is comprised of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 50% new French oak. It offers a huge bouquet of black, black fruits, smoked herbs, forest floor, graphite, and underbrush that builds beautifully with time in the glass. Deep, rich, opulent and expansive on the palate, with building tannins, it’s a rich, layered Saint-Emilion as well as another incredible wine from this estate. Give it a few years if you can. It’s capable of keeping for three decades or more. Drink 2019-2049.

97
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, March 2019
88
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2017
Read more tasting notes...

The 2016 Larcis-Ducasse is a blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc picked between 12-19 October, matured in 225- and 500-liter barrels. It matured in 50% new oak, which is a lower proportion than you would have found in 2009 or 2010. It has a lively, expressive bouquet with detailed blackberry, briary and cranberry aromas that are neatly embroidered with the new oak, allowing the terroir to show through. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very well balanced, quite spicy and peppery in the mouth but maintaining satisfying tension from start to finish. This is a very well crafted Larcis-Ducasse although I hope that during the élevage it will just gain more persistence on the aftertaste. One to watch. Drink Date 2022 - 2050

93/95
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (230), April 2017

This is very polished and beautiful with ultra-fine tannins and a long, linear finish. It has a density and beauty that seduces you.

95/96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2017
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.