Château Larcis Ducasse 2025

Tasting notes and recommendations for Château Larcis Ducasse 2025

Tasting

Nose
The aromatic bouquet is particularly seductive and well-balanced, dominated by intense notes of black fruits such as cherry, plum, and blackberry. Delicate floral touches intertwine with spicy nuances and a minerality reminiscent of graphite.

Palate
On the palate, this wine reveals a silky and refined texture, supported by a medium to full body. The tannic structure, of great elegance, is complemented by a fine acidity, offering remarkable freshness. The estate’s mineral signature is present, with hints of crushed stone and a saline touch, leading to a long and perfectly structured finish.

Food and wine pairings
This great wine pairs beautifully with roasted, braised, or grilled meats, whether beef, veal, pork, lamb, or poultry. It also enhances umami-rich dishes, particularly those featuring mushrooms or truffles, as well as Asian cuisine with flavorful spices. Meaty fish such as tuna or salmon, pasta dishes, and a selection of hard or soft cheeses also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring
To fully appreciate Château Larcis Ducasse 2025, serving at around 15.5 °C is recommended, with brief aeration or light decanting to release its aromas while preserving its freshness. With outstanding aging potential, this vintage is expected to evolve beautifully until around 2050.

The aromatic expression and freshness of a great Saint-Émilion terroir

The estate
Although vine growing on these lands dates back to the sixteenth century, the modern era of Château Larcis Ducasse truly began in 1893 when it was acquired by Henri Raba. Today, this Premier Grand Cru Classé from the Right Bank of Bordeaux is managed by the Gratiot-Attmane family, direct descendants of the Raba family, ensuring over one hundred and thirty years of family continuity. Under the leadership of director and winemaker David Suire, the estate stands out for its commitment to organic farming and the enhancement of its exceptional terroir.

The vineyard
Covering 11.34 hectares, including 10.50 hectares in production, the vineyard is located on the south-facing slopes of the Côte Pavie, in the heart of the Saint-Émilion appellation. The vines, averaging 38 years of age, benefit from a complex layered terroir combining clay, limestone, and chalk. Natural underground springs irrigate the soil, creating an ideal contrast between the sun-exposed slopes and the cool depths. Planting density ranges from 6,000 to 8,888 vines per hectare, with controlled yields of 40 hectoliters per hectare. The entire estate has been farmed according to organic principles since 2005.

The vintage
The harvest was meticulously organized to pick the grapes at optimal ripeness. Cabernet franc clusters were harvested in several passes on September 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, and 18, while merlot was harvested on September 17 and 18.

Winemaking and aging
In the cellar, the grapes are handled with great care using gravity-fed facilities. Whole-berry fermentation takes place in traditional cement vats for 25 to 28 days, with manual punch-downs and no pumping over to preserve the structure. Malolactic fermentation then occurs in barrels. The aging of this Right Bank wine from Bordeaux lasts between 16 and 18 months, in a combination of French oak barrels (50% new), 500-liter demi-muids, and large casks.

Grape variety
The blend of Château Larcis Ducasse 2025 consists of 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc.