Château Larcis Ducasse, Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2009
The Thienpont and Derenoncourt team have done it again. Larcis Ducasse is another wonderful example from this exceptional terroir. It really does beg the question, why were the wines so mediocre for so long? Since the 2004 vintage the dynamic duo have elevated this estate situated next to Pavie into one of the finest in the commune. The 2009 possesses a beautiful bouquet of wild strawberries, flowers, minerals, rocks, liquorice; as well as savoury notes of damp earth and cooked meats. This is rich, concentrated, powerful, but at the same time charming, complex and refreshing. The palate is full of sweet fruits and velvety plums. A supremely complex, intense, multilayered Larcis with impeccable balance and beautiful velour tannins. Wonderful.
critic reviews
This is a great 2009, showing that even when many in St Emilion were going long on extraction, here at Larcis Ducasse they were letting the terroir speak. Perhaps not as structurally precise and pure in its fruit expression as you would find today, but this is at a lovely moment to drink, with blackberry fruits, finely spun tannins, chocolate drops, sweet red liquorice, violet flowers, sea spray. Nicolas Thienpont director, Gratiot-Attmane owners, 55% new oak for ageing.
A blend of 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc, the 2009 Larcis Ducasse is deep garnet colored. It charges out with bold, beautiful notes of licorice, prunes, blueberry compote, and fresh figs, followed by suggestions of chargrill, wood smoke, and cigar box. The full-bodied palate is mature, delivering loads of dried berries and earthy layers with a velvety texture, finishing long with just enough freshness. Drink it now and over the next 10-12 years+.
The 2009 Larcis Ducasse has an outstanding bouquet with black cherries, wild strawberry, dried herbs, touches of orange zest, veins of blue fruit emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that disguise the weight and heft of this Saint-Émilion. Very well balanced with savory, meat juices, curry powder and light leathery notes towards the persistent finish. This is just superb...but I wonder where it will be in ten years time? Tasted at the Larcis Ducasse vertical in Bordeaux.