2012 Chateau Larcis-Ducasse Saint Emilion St Emilion

Pro Reviews

Wine Advocate (WA)

This great terroir, long owned by the Gratiot family, has come to life under the inspired winemaking of Nicolas Thienpont and Stéphane Derenoncourt. Some recent vintages have been legendary efforts, especially 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The 2012 (83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc) is right in the competition, with an inky, opaque, bluish/purple color, gorgeously sweet, rich nose of black raspberries, black cherries and currants, and licorice. The wine hits the palate with a full-bodied, thunderous effect. This blend tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol, which is indicative of its fabulously exposed vineyard on a full, steep limestone slope with a primarily southern exposure. This is full-bodied, ripe and one of the great stars of the vintage – again. The wine has full-bodied texture, gorgeous purity, richness and length. Drink it over the next 20 years. – Robert M. Parker, Jr., April 2015

Janis Robinson (JR)

Tasted blind. Dark shaded crimson. Blackcurrants and toastiness on the end. A real thrust of fruit on the palate. Vigorous and confident with a (pleasant) hint of cough medicine. Seductive. No excess. – 20/01/2016

Vinous Media (VM)

The 2012 Larcis Ducasse remains quite deep in colour. It has an intense bouquet, although it has eased off the accelerator in recent years, exhibiting scents of blackberry, briary, sage and hints of iodine. There is a touch of precocity in situ, but it feels nicely contained and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins, leaning to what one might describe as a “modern” style of Saint-Émilion. Velvety smooth in texture, there is a luxuriant carapace of new oak, but that is proportionate to the fruit concentration underneath. Afford it another three to five years in bottle. Excellent. Tasted at the Larcis Ducasse vertical in Bordeaux. – Neal Martin – 06/10/2020