Château LARCIS-DUCASSE 2019

Description

Yves Beck 97-99 points www.yvesbeck.wine
88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc
Pourpre violacé. Le bouquet de Larcis se révèle avec subtilité, d’une manière très ordonnée, en commençant par afficher son identité. Il est agréablement fruité au travers de notes de baies rouges et de cerises et puis, bien entendu, marqué par des notes crayeuses et, finalement une touche de bois de réglisse. Il y a beaucoup de délicatesse dans ce bouquet. En bouche le vin est à l’image du nez ; il se révèle tout en finesse mais en affichant clairement ses ambitions ; il est friand, crémeux, ample et racé. Que d’énergie et quelle notion de force tranquille. Les tannins sont porteurs, assez serrés et en phase avec une structure aiguisée, éclatante. Que de grandeur, contenue et sereine. C’est un très grand Larcis-Ducasse.  2026-2054

Lisa Perrotti-Brown 95-97 points www.robertparker.com
Composed of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Larcis Ducasse was harvested from the 25th of September to the 7th of October. Yields were 38.5 hectoliters per hectare this year, with around 70% of production going into the grand vin. Deep garnet-purple in color, it sails out of the glass with effortlessly graceful notes of fresh blackberries, warm red and black plums and mulberries plus hints of cedar chest, potpourri, powdered cinnamon and clove oil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is quite tightly wound, giving glimpses of spice and mineral layers among the black fruits and firm, rounded tannins, finishing with bags of freshness and energy. About 2,850 cases are anticipated to be made.

Neal Martin 95-97 points www.vinous.com
The 2019 Larcis Ducasse is deep purple in colour. The bouquet is opulent and ravishing with precocious dark cherry, cassis and crushed violet aromas that seem to envelop the senses, “hug them into submissions!” The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that manage to exert good grip, though you only notice that after the wine has exited. Great depth, touches of ash and black pepper infusing the black fruit with unerring balance on the finish. This is an outstanding Saint-Émilion with 30-40 years of pleasure to give.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown 95-97+ points www.robertparker.com
Composed of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Larcis Ducasse was harvested from the 25th of September to the 7th of October. Yields were 38.5 hectoliters per hectare this year, with around 70% of production going into the grand vin. Deep garnet-purple in color, it sails out of the glass with effortlessly graceful notes of fresh blackberries, warm red and black plums and mulberries plus hints of cedar chest, potpourri, powdered cinnamon and clove oil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is quite tightly wound, giving glimpses of spice and mineral layers among the black fruits and firm, rounded tannins, finishing with bags of freshness and energy. About 2,850 cases are anticipated to be made.

Antonio Galloni 94-96 points www.vinous.com
The 2019 Larcis Ducasse is a Saint-Émilion of energy and tension. Graphite, menthol, licorice, tobacco and cedar notes open up in the bouquet. On the palate, though, the 2019 is much more reticent. That is likely a very good thing for its long-term prospect. One of the features of Larcis is the use of 500-liter barrels (which are rarely seen in Bordeaux) for certain parcels. Those larger barrels certainly add to the wine’s freshness and verve. Larcis is one of the more introverted 2019s I tasted. It is also one of Bordeaux’s most under the radar gems.

Jane Anson 94 points  www.decanter.com (at Bordeaux, 14 May 2020)
This is intense, pretty austere as is often the case with a young Larcis Ducasse, and very much with Cabernet fruits dominant even though they are 12% of the blend (it is rather that the Merlot on these limestone soils takes on a depth and seriousness that makes it almost Left Bank in feel). Opens up to reveal fleshy cassis and blackberry. A yield of 38.5hl/ha. Owned by Famille Gratiot-Attmane, but with the Nicolas Thienpont team overseeing winemaking. Tasted twice, one week apart. Drinking Window 2027 – 2044