| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
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. The wines here are impressively concentrated in style. The vineyard is planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
The 2023 is 86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc.
Harvested between September 14 and 25, the 2023 Larcis Ducasse offers up aromas of dark berries, preserved plums, orange confit, vine smoke, licorice and spices. Medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy, with a sweet core of fruit framed by ripe, powdery tannins, it's succulent, suave and polished, concluding a mouthwateringly mineral finish. It's a blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc.
The 2023 Larcis Ducasse was picked from September 14 to 25 at 43hL/ha. The nose is quite open with brambly red fruit, briar and subtle incense aromas. It's not as intense as the previous vintage, though I appreciate the definition and charm. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the entry that frame the layered black fruit, struck through with light flinty elements. Blind, I might have said there is Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend thanks to the graphite finish. It is a classically-styled Larcis Ducasse that should drink well for 20+ years.
A bit of a throwback, this Larcis has tarry, bittersweet fruit on the nose and notes of balsamic-edged cassis. A sweet, damson jam palate is initially silky but quickly builds wood tannins. Mint and crème de cassis dominate the palate. This is a little mondial, but it is not over-extracted or bitter on the finish. Of a style.
This is really classic in character, with a fine tannin structure and medium body. It starts slowly and then accelerates quickly into intense black cherries, currants and a salty note. Savory and subtle. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Larcis Ducasse delivers an initial burst of pure, ripe blueberries and crushed blackberries before opening out to hints of fragrant soil, rose oil, black truffle, and a beguiling waft of preserved mandarin peel. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly wound like a spring, revealing black fruit, floral, and mineral nuances with a taut structure of firm fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long and fantastically layered. This is stunning.
Excellent quality, this is clearly going to age extremely, has depth, intensity and sculpted tannins, fine grained and sappy. Sweet character to the brambled damson and black cherry fruit, sage, rosemary, lavender, a great benchmark wine as ever, with salinity and grip. Tasted three times, once at the estate with owner Jacques-Olivier Gratiot. 43hl/ha yield, Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire celebrating their 22nd vintage together at the estate. 3.55ph, 50% in new barrels for ageing.
The 2023 Larcis Ducasse is elegant, powerful and wonderfully expressive. In other words, classic Larcis. Plum, blood orange, spice, menthol, mocha and gravel infuse the 2023 with layers of dimension that only grow with time in the glass. This will need some time to shed its considerable baby fat. Superb. Tasted four times. 2033-2063
86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Deep crimson hue. Attractive berry-fruit nose. Fresh and lifted. Lovely texture and aromas on the palate. Good depth of fruit with fine, integrated tannins. Persistent. Good effort. (JL) 14.5%
Drink 2030 – 2045
