Castle Larcis Ducasse - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2013

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

The 2013 Larcis-Ducasse offers simple, leather-tinged red berry fruit on the nose mixed with undergrowth, a touch of morels with time. The palate is tart on the entry with hints of Earl Grey tea and spice infusing the red fruit. There is a keen line of acidity here and more freshness and harmony towards the finish compared to its Saint Emilion brethren. Early, decent drinking from this Saint Emilion estate that may well deserve a higher score with continued bottle age. Tasted February 2016.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

the3/31/2016

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2016

A tight and lively wine with attractive energy and fine fruit. Medium to full body. Bouncy finish with cherry, and a salty aftertaste.

Wine Advocate

88-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/29/2014

The 2013, which I tasted three different times, showed consistently well on all occasions exhibiting a dense, ruby/plum purple color. It has a sweet kiss of black olive tapenade, licorice, blackcurrants, graphite and incense. The wine is medium-bodied and shows excellent concentration, a moderately long finish with relatively sweet tannin and decent acidity. This is a beauty and a testament to not only the brilliant terroir, but also the sure-handed vineyard management and wine making team.

From the Cote Pavie, this wine made in 2013 has turned out very well, with a shot at fetching a 90-point score when bottled. The final blend of 84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc saw only 66% of the production going into the Grand Vin. The alcohol achieved is 13.6% and yields were frightfully low at 17 hl/ha. This estate is managed by a rather remarkable team, led by Stephane Derenoncourt and Nicolas Thienpont, but there are others as well.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

86-89 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe5/16/2014

Good full red-ruby color. Classic Bordeaux aromas of blackcurrant, strawberry, tobacco leaf and graphite. Enters the mouths quite austere, with understated flavors of redcurrant, tobacco leaf and vanilla somewhat dominated by the oak element. Better on the finish today, showing a firm tannic spine, good grip and lovely, subtle floral persistence. This will almost certainly be better for another year or two of further development and I expect it to score at the high end of my range in 2016 when I'll retaste the bottled wine. Nicholas Thienpont himself was surprised at how steely and restrained this wine was on the day I tasted it with him.

matthewjukes.com

15,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/23/2014

(84 Merlot, 16 Cabernet Franc) Some smoother fruit than many but a little too slender and simple to be of any real interest.

Jancis Robinson

15 / 20

byRichard Hemmingsthe4/22/2014

A slightly cooked, currant edge to the nose here. Very high tannic grip. Lots of that damp sawdust character that plagues ‘natural’ wines on the finish. I’d be suspicious of this one.

Vinous

90-92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/18/2014

Dark red cherries, plums, spices, dark earthiness, new leather and wild flowers meld together in the 2013 Larcis Ducasse. One of the riper, richer wines of the vintage, the 2013 clearly benefits from its southern exposure and the decision to open up the canopies to allow for maximum exposure to light and heat. Today, the 2013 impresses for its creamy texture and exceptional overall balance. This is a great showing. The blend is 84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc harvested between October 3 and 12. Tasted two times.

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/15/2014

Bright crimson hue. Velvety texture. Tannins enrobed with fruit. Long, persistent finish. Pure and harmonious. Lovely wine

My Bettane + Desseauve

16,5-17 / 20

the4/15/2014

Parfum séduisant de fruits rouges et de fleurs, allonge non dénuée d’ampleur, charpentée par un tanin ferme, mais sans rudesse, conclu par une longueur veloutée.

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/8/2014

There is a purity of fruit to this lovely wine with raspberry and blueberry character. Full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Balanced.

Wine Spectator

89-92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2014

Racy, fresh and detailed, with lovely range to the cherry, currant and raspberry fruit, offset with echoes of singed anise, vanilla bean and rooibos tea on the finish. Very stylish. —J.M.