Château Larcis Ducasse 2020

Compact in style, still very marked by élevage as it was en primeur, with a austere finish over angular tannins.

Ripe, polished and direct, with cassis and black cherry puree forming the core, while light black licorice, violet and sweet tobacco details fill in steadily through the finish. A poised, understated style. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038. 2,850 cases made.

Perfumed nose, heady and seductive, the aromas shining out of the glass. Full, rich and vibrant tones of blackcurrant and black cherry. Ripe and chewy, the tannins really are present and grippy but have a plushness and a bounce to them; they coat the entire mouth, seriously wide and expansive, yet gentle even in their fillingness. A powdery blueberry juiciness with intense liquorice touches walks the line between freshness and power so well. Really a step up in quality, still tight, strong and not exactly charming at this point, but there’s no faulting the winemaking here; this is direct, powerful and firm, yet so long with great acidity. Packed and charged, ripe and rich, yet round and balanced. I adore it.

Transparent and pure, with crushed stone and floral notes such as violets, as well as minerals and blackcurrants. Bramble berries as well. Medium to full body. Tight, very fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Kicks in at the end. So fresh and energetic. Tannic finish with fine texture. Drink after 2028.

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 16–18 months in barrels. Heady nose. Lots there in decent balance on the palate – in fact it’s reasonably restrained while showing the opulence and ripeness of the appellation. Appetising and quite long. (JR)

The 2020 Larcis Ducasse is a real showstopper. Bright and vertical in feel, the 2020 possesses tremendous energy to match its super-classic build. Beams of tannin and acid give the wine its shape. Dark cherry and pomegranate fruit are pushed forward, with a kick of blood orange acidity that lends freshness. Graphite, dried herbs, menthol, spice and cedar emerge with some coaxing, but the 2020 is very young and very primary. That of course bodes so well for its future. The 2020 is quite simply a thrilling Larcis and one of the very finest values in all of Bordeaux.

If you are seeking a masterclass in minerality, taste this wine! The nose screams crushed rocks, stones, and oceanic influences before moving to its flowers, licorice, black cherries, plums, and espresso. Concentrated, full-bodied, and intense, with layers of mineral-infused black and red fruits, the wine builds, lingers, and expands, finishing with vibrancy, refinement, and elegant, sweet, ripe, luscious red fruits with a touch of salt in the tannins. Drink from 2026–2055.

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, bright rim. Fresh black and red berry fruit, light floral notes, a hint of fine oak, mineral bouquet. Juicy, elegant, fresh ripe cherry fruit, lively structure, salty touch, lively style marked by the terroir, very well-balanced, red berry finish, full of finesse.

The Grand Vin comes from a tiny 11.15-hectare vineyard that has been in the Gratiot family since 1893. Located on the south-facing Côte Pavie, between Château Pavie and Château Bellefont-Belcier and consisting of clay over limestone soils, the vineyard has recently been going through a replanting phase using sélection massale and higher-density planting. The grapes are hand-sorted, vinification is entirely in concrete over four weeks, with élevage in 50% new French oak. A classic blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Château Larcis Ducasse reminds me of 2005 and ranks among the top handful of wines on the Right Bank. It has a brilliant perfume of red and black fruits, white truffle, leafy tobacco, and Asian spices. This leads to a full-bodied, concentrated, powerful Larcis-Ducasse with ultra-fine yet building tannins, perfect balance, a stacked mid-palate, and one heck of a great finish. It’s going to flirt with perfection in 7–8 years (I’m probably underrating it by a point) and has 30 years of overall longevity. Tasted numerous times with consistent results.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: jammy, sweet, powerful, peppery bouquet; cherry compote, smoke, white pepper, brown chocolate. Creamy, full, fruity palate with sweet fruit, good tannins, dense structure, powerful, dark aromatics, long, dry finish. Has room to improve.

Jammy, sweet, powerful, peppery bouquet; cherry compote, smoke, white pepper, brown chocolate. Creamy, full, fruity palate with sweet fruit, good tannins, dense structure, powerful dark aromatics, long, dry finish. Still has room to improve. 17/20 2026 - 2040

Just such a brilliant wine, with finesse and balance. Joyful, with dark chocolate, blueberry and cassis fruits, salted crackers, wet stone minerality, violet aromatics. Supple tannins, this is both complex and simply easy to enjoy, with layers that grip and delight. Love it, holds on tight and keeps you engaged. 10ha estate owned by Famille Gratiot-Attmane, but with the Nicolas Thienpont team overseeing winemaking.

The 2020 Larcis Ducasse is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little reticent to begin, needing considerable swirling to unlock notes of preserved plums, blueberry compote, and black cherry pie, plus hints of candied violets, dark chocolate, and licorice with a waft of crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is laden with black fruit and earthy layers, supported by firm yet velvety tannins and impressive tension, finishing with epic length.

95–96

The wine opens with elegant aromas of cherry pit and piercing blue fruits—blueberries, blackberries, Ente plums—then mocha and vanilla, yielding an aristocratic, magnetic bouquet. The palate is juicy and fresh, with caressing texture, monumental finesse, and delightfully raspy tannins, like tiny kitten tongues.

Dark, intense, purple color. Very aromatic nose, fruity, pure, and quite vibrant. Delicate on the attack, supple, even too supple mid-palate, lacking its usual power; the wine finishes with wrapped tannins and a normal length.

In 2020, Larcis Ducasse gains in power without losing any finesse. It’s the miracle of this outstanding terroir, guided with a masterful hand—the remarkable long-term work of Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire is unmistakably felt. The wine unfurls its customary elegance, refined and lace-like, luminous and taut like a bow, wrapping its substance in a hint of richness and texture that suits it well. Fleshy and full of flesh—dare we say sensual—it is one of the great wines of the vintage, ready to stand the test of time.

This wine is in a classic style. Tannins and structure are as important at this stage as the vibrant black fruits. It's good for long-term aging. Drink from 2027.