Château Larcis Ducasse, Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2010
This Thienpont/Derenoncourt St Emilion, produced from a fabulous terroir next to Pavie is a blend of 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc in 2010. Always one of our favourite St Emilions, Larcis Ducasse combines superstar winemaking, wonderful terroir and great value for money. Beautiful high-toned bouquet of sloes, cut flowers, minerals, little berries and just a hint of something brooding and savoury. The palate is thick and creamy; sweet and ripe with notes of cassis and plum. Everything comes together wonderfully; a harmonious, elegant offering with just a touch of chocolate and spice on the long finish.
critic reviews
Clear sense of completion and balance, good depth and texture to the tannic architecture, with slate, cigar box, crayon, cassis, pomegranate, saffron, and oyster shell. Remains tight at this point, and the acidity is still on the austere side. Give it longer, and concentrate on the excellent 2009 for the next few years. Nicolas Thienpont director, Gratiot-Attmane owners.
Made from 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc, the 2010 Larcis Ducasse is deep garnet colored. Remarkably, it is still very closed and reduced to begin, offering vague tar and scorched earth notes at the very beginning before opening out to offer glimpses at a powerhouse of plum preserves, blackberry compote, and mince pie notes, followed by wafts of licorice, crushed rocks, and smoked meats. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with youthful black fruit and earthy layers, supported by firm, superbly fine-grained tannins and amazing tension, finishing very long. It needs another 5-7 years, at least, to hit its stride and should keep another 20-years+.
The 2010 Larcis Ducasse is a wine that tasted stupendous from barrel, but I subsequently encountered two perplexing showings blind after bottling. Fortunately, this replicates that initial showing. It is beautifully defined on the nose with dark cherries, dark chocolate, raspberry and touches of vanilla. It is vigorous and seems to be opening its first few chapters. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh as a daisy, fine tannins, very cohesive with a lovely sapid finish that lingers in the mouth. Superb grip with a candied element that becomes more evident with aeration. Superb. Tasted at the Larcis Ducasse vertical in Bordeaux.