Chateau Larcis Ducasse - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

Warm cherry, raspberry and plum preserve flavors form the core here, with nicely polished structure supporting it through the finish where anise, black tea, singed alder and savory details steadily emerge. A touch austere in feel, but the breed and length is there. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2035. 2,416 cases made. –JM

Yvesbeck.wine

97 / 100

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Plateau argilo-calcaire sur calcaire à astéries, terrasses exposées sud - sol argilo-limoneux très superficiel sur calcaire à astéries, sol argilo-calcaire colluvial de flanc de coteau. Superficie de 11,15 ha (9,27 ha en production). Production annuelle de 2'400 caisses. Que de finesse et de précision dans le bouquet de Larcis Ducasse. Il se distingue par sa race, son côté crayeux et le côté rafraîchissant de son intensité fruitée avec des nuances de baies rouges. En bouche le vin est friand et juteux en attaque. Le palais affiche de l'ampleur et est parfaitement soutenu par son acidité qui est en parfaite symbiose avec les tannins. Que de grandeur, de finesse et d'exactitude. Un très grand vin.

Jamessuckling.com

97 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/26/2021

Polished aromas of lavender, plum, dried blueberry, clove, sandalwood and dark chocolate. Hints of praline. It’s full-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Supple, seamless layers with great length and precision. Still reserved and tight. A toned and textured red with great structure. Try from 2026.

WeinWisser

18 / 20

the5/7/2019

Vinifera

96 /

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Nez profond, associant un caractère minéral à un fruité d'une finesse rare. Entrée en bouche suave, fondante, il se développe magnifiquement. Grande texture. Il est ample et généreux. 

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

Incorporating 11% Cabernet Franc, the Merlot-dominated 2018 Château Larcis Ducasse come from an 11.5-hectare parcel of clay and limestone soils, on the south facing hillside just outside of Saint-Émilion, and there are only 2,400 cases made, which equates to 72% of the total production. This deeply colored beauty offers a thrilling blue fruit quality as well as complex violets, graphite, and a liquid rock-like minerality. It's deep and thrillingly pure, with fine tannins and a beautiful finish. This is an incredible terroir, and the estate has been firing on all cylinders thanks to the talents of Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire. Give bottles 4-5 years (if you can) and it will keep for 30-40 years if you’re so inclined. 95-97+

Vinous

94-97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/1/2019

A wine of total sophistication and class, Larcis Ducasse is fabulous in 2018. Freshly cut flowers, bright red fruit, espresso, licorice and wild flowers are all vibrant in the glass. The 2018 marries fruit intensity, energy and structure like few wines in this vintage. The 2018 is deceptive in its mid-weight structure, but it packs a real punch. There is an element of precision in Larcis that is truly remarkable. Even with all of its intensity, Larcis retains its characteristic linear feel and drive. I loved it. Tasted three times.

La Revue du Vin de France

16-17 / 20

the4/24/2019

The Wine Cellar Insider

97-99 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

The purple hue announces this is a wine to take notice of and the 2018 is up to the task. Full-bodied, the wine hits your palate with layers of decadently textured fruit that never quits. It is hard to say what I was digging more, the opulence on the mouth or the cage match between the density and freshness. The match came to a draw. The seamless finish is nearly endless. The wine coats your palate and stains your teeth, remaining perfectly in balance. Made from blending 89% Merlot with 11% Cabernet Franc, it reached 14.5% alcohol. The harvest took place September 21 to October 4.

Wine Advocate

96-98 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Larcis Ducasse features wonderfully expressive scents of baked black and red plums, kirsch, rose hip tea and cigar box with hints of pencil shavings, baked redcurrants and truffles plus a waft of licorice. Full-bodied and beautifully nuanced on the palate, it has layer upon layer of red and black fruit preserves with beautiful, velvety tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2019

A concentrated wine with big tannins and a smoky character, this is rich, darkly textured and full of blackberry fruit. The wine is powerful, spicy and fresh on the end.

Jamessuckling.com

97-98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

This is very structured and powerful with bright and electric acidity and fine-grained yet muscular tannins. Full-bodied yet compact and focused. Greatly formed. Flexing. Thoughtful.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

97 / 100

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Wine Spectator

94-97 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

A solid wine, with raspberry and red currant fruit adhering to chalk and iron notes, while ample grip drives underneath. Reveals a mouthwatering tobacco accent at the end.

Decanter.com

95 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/1/2019

Powerful but with a sense of restraint, this is extremely well handled in 2018. The difference between this and a more massive St-Emilion is subtle for sure - it's unquestionably on the dark fruit register - but you notice it in the way that the tannins respond and bounce rather than stiffen up in the mouth. You can enjoy them as they close in around you rather than beg for air. The palate has lots of dark chocolate, liquorice and slate notes, with cassis and blackberry fruits. This is from south-facing slopes, so there's plenty of ripeness in the grapes, but the limestone helps to temper it, along with the natural water sources that are found at this spot. Owned by Famille Gratiot-Attmane, but with the Nicolas Thienpont team overseeing winemaking.
Drinking Window 2026 - 2040