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Larcis Ducasse 2010

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

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Tasting Notes

The wine boasts 14.6% natural alcohol and is a final blend of roughly three-fourths Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, cropped at a ridiculously low 19 hectoliters per hectare. Notes of licorice, garrigue, incense, smoked meats, espresso, creme de cassis and blackberry liqueur jump from the glass of this unbelievably intense wine. Remarkably full, with compelling freshness and precision, this is a fabulous effort in 2010. It will probably close down over the next several years, and not re-emerge for at least a decade, something that often happens with the bigger, richer, more muscular St.-Emilions from the limestone hillsides and plateaux. This is one of the superstars of the vintage and a profound wine. Drink it between 2020 and 2045.

By any standard of measure, this is the second greatest wine I have ever tasted from Larcis Ducasse, eclipsed only by the perfect 2005. Winemaker Nicolas Thienpont, with Stephane Derenoncourt in the background, have hit pay dirt with this 2010 from Larcis-Ducasse's vineyard of 28 or so acres of the famous Cote Pavie's decomposed limestone.

98+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

The intensity to this wine is incredible with an electric dark fruit character and dark chocolate note. It's so lively and vibrant. Full and beautiful

95/96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2011

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Larcis Ducasse opens a little subdued, offering glimpses of tobacco leaf, cast-iron pan and dusty soil over a core of raisin cake and Indian spices plus a touch of figs. Full-bodied, rich and seductive, it has firm, plush tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and spicy. Drink 2020-2045.

97
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2020), March 2020

Dark, vibrant crimson. Mid ripeness level. Sweet start and real vibrancy on the palate. Very polished in a modern but not exaggerated way. Quite racy on the finish.

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011
93
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2011

Dark, rich and concentrated. Beautiful fruit at the perfect pitch of ripeness. Palate balanced by fresh acidity. Persistent. Harmonious. Drink 2018-2035.

18
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2011
Read more tasting notes...

An excellent effort, stylistically, the 2010 comes as close to the 2005 as one will find. The wine was made from remarkably low yields of 19 hectoliters per hectare and the final blend was approximately 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. The late harvest (it finished during the third week of October) was managed impeccably by the dynamic duo of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. This phenomenal terroir, situated with a south/southeast exposition on the limestone soils of the Cote Pavie, has produced a wine with great individuality. Its dense purple color is followed by notes of black currants, sweet cherries, garrigue, licorice and incense. Already complex, it reveals formidably endowed, full-bodied flavors, a skyscraper-like texture, marvelous depth, moderately high tannins and excellent precision as well as freshness (which gives the wine that 2005-like personality). This 2010 will require 4-5 years of cellaring and should age effortlessly for 20-25 years thereafter.

95/97
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Tasted twice both at the UGC in London and in Bordeaux, the Larcis Ducasse (83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc picked between 6th and 19th October and raised in 60% new oak for 16 to 18 months) has a ripe, opulent bouquet with ravishing dark plum and boysenberry fruit with good definition - certainly a Saint Emilion that shows the personality of the previous vintage. The palate is sweet and sensual on the entry with fine minerality showing through. It is very complex, more controlled on the finish than some recent vintages with great poise. This is an excellent Saint Emilion to join the great 2009. Tasted November 2012.

95
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2013

My sample of Larcis was unexpectedly taciturn but gradually unfurls to reveal notes of crème de cassis, blueberry, fresh violets and cherry liqueur. The palate is very rounded on the entry, supple tannins, good weight and purity towards the caressing finish, if not quite the tension or complexity of the 2009. A second bottle (a fresh example) is much more vibrant and precise. Tasted April 2011.

92/94
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2011
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.