Château Larcis Ducasse - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Le Point

16,5-17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Fruits noirs, profond, nez de truffe, bouche élégante, fraîche, délicat, bonne longueur, très fin.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-95 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

Blueberries, blackberries, violets, licorice and ample crushed rock notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, tight, firm 2017 Larcis Ducasse, which comes from a magical terroir not far from Pavie. It doesn't have the density or depth of the 2015 or 2012, yet has beautiful purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and considerable elegance and purity. I suspect it will put on weight with time in barrel and evolve similarly to the 2008. The 2017 is 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc harvested from the 18th of September to the 2nd of October. 3,000 cases produced.

Vinifera

94-96 / 100

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Fruit mûr et sensation de chair au nez, sur la cerise noire juteuse. Très belle bouche charnue et pleine, emmenée par un fruit justement mûr, le vin ne manque pas de centre. C’est ample, long, grand !

Vinous

92-95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

The 2017 Larcis Ducasse is a rich, sensual wine, with softer contours and more plushness than is typically the case, part of which is attributable to the vintage and part of which is the result of gentler winemaking. Dark red cherry and plum fruit is nicely pushed forward in this succulent, racy Saint-Émilion. Mocha, licorice and menthol wrap around the juicy, pliant finish. The 2017 is an especially succulent, racy Larcis. It has been consistently brilliant on the four occasions I have tasted it so far.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

Flowers, crushed rocks and ripe, deep red fruits are found in abundance here. With silky textures, sweet maroon berries, earth, licorice and salty tannins, the wine offers concentration of flavor with cut and definition. The mineral character is profound in this vintage, therefore give it at least a decade to develop before popping a cork. The wine was made from blending 92% Merlot with 8% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14% alcohol. The harvest took place September 18 to October 2.

Vinous

91-93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Larcis-Ducasse was cropped at 34hl/ha from 18 to 29 September for the Merlot and 29 September to 2 October for the Cabernet Franc. It has a very high-toned, iodine-tinged bouquet that just lacks the usual harmony, and certainly the cohesion that I discerned apropos the 2015 and 2016 vintages at this early stage. The palate is underpinned by fine tannin and here demonstrates much more harmony than the aromatics. The black fruit is flecked by black pepper and subtle fennel notes, the tannins are quite fine and the finish is much more linear and stricter than recent vintages. It is a more classically styled Larcis-Ducasse this year but it should age well. I expect it will land towards the upper end of my banded score.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

The 2017 Larcis Ducasse is deep garnet-purple colored with a bombastic, gregarious nose of preserved plums, baked blackberries and mocha with hints of sautéed herbs, pencil lead and chargrilled meats plus a waft of yeast extract. The palate is big, rich and full-bodied with a very firm frame of chewy tannins and lashings of oak joining with opulent fruit, finishing long.

Decanter.com

88 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

Grilled oak aromas, with blackberry fruit that struggles to make itself heard, although it does achieve a feeling of richness in the mouth. There is unquestionable impact through the palate, but it sits a little heavily on the finish. Despite this, they have maintained their signature style and deliver a wine of personality.

Drinking Window 2025 - 2038

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

This wine is fruity, soft and rounded. With attractive acidity and some firm tannins in the background, it has enough structure to allow it to age. The core of the wine is dry with a ripe surround. Drink from 2023.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

A very pretty and structured red with blackberries, blueberries and hints of limestone character. Medium to full body, solid tannins and a real freshness underneath. Long and flavorful.