Wine Critic
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Chateau Larcis Ducasse Saint-Emilion Grand Cru FUTURES 2025 Pre-Arrival - ETA: Autumn 2028
First Growth B. Premier Grand Cru Classe B.
Château Larcis Ducasse, Saint‑Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé is a Merlot‑dominant, limestone‑slope Right‑Bank wine known for combining plush fruit with pronounced mineral drive and long aging potential.
Critic tasting notes: (2025 vintage)
"Black cherries, plums, violets, licorice, espresso, caramel, black raspberries, licorice, and a hint of mint pop in the nose. Creamy, opulent, sweet, powerful, and also fragrant, fresh, and light on its feet. The palate is drenched in fruits, accompanied by a mineral essence that adds in the length, and the vibrancy to the long, intense finish. One of the wines of the vintage, this is in contention for the best vintage ever produced in the history of Larcis Ducasse. The wine blends 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc. 13.8% ABV. 3.5 pH. Harvesting took place September 10 - September 19. Yields were 40 hectoliters per hectare. Aging is taking place in a combination of New, French oak barrels, 500 liter barrels, and foundres. Drink from 2030-2065." - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (99/100)
"A Merlot-heavy blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a dense purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of ripe currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with smoky tobacco, graphite, and crushed stone. Aged in a mix of 225-liter barriques (45%), 500-liter demi-muids (40%), and foudres (15%), it checks in at 13.8% alcohol with a pH of 3.5. Deep, rich, and full-bodied on the palate, it has a broad, layered mouthfeel, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It might end up being in the top handful of wines in the vintage." - Jeb Dunnuck (97–99/100)
"The 2025 Larcis Ducasse is another exceptional wine from one of the most under-the-radar estates in SaintÉmilion. Dark red-fleshed fruits, rose petal, lavender, mocha, licorice, sage and graphite are all seamless in the glass. The 2025 marries power with finesse to a degree that is exceptionally rare. Lively acids and lifted floral overtones brighten the long, resonant finish. The 2025 spent 23-24 days on skins, a bit shorter than most years. Élevage takes place in 40% French oak barrels, 40% 500-liter barrels and 20% 25-hectoliter foudre. Wines from clay-based soils tend to be raised in barrique to soften them, while wines from limestonerich soils are naturally more delicate and typically aged in larger-format wood. Larcis was one of the first properties in Bordeaux to introduce large-format wood, a choice that works so well for this site and these wines. This is a stellar effort from Technical Director David Suire, who has been at the helm since 2022." - Antonio Galloni (95-97/100)
"Right at the top of the vintage here, full of character and depth, clear intensity and acidity, has the sword-like limestone touch of the vintage but so well shaped and handled. Toasted grilled campfire and bilberry and cassis puree, great quality, rosemary, redcurrant, liquorice." - Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux (96/100)
"Well composed, balanced, seductive and vivid. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Well shaped, with an inspired and focus mid-palate. Flavorful and lingering finish." - James Suckling (95-96/100)
"Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, subtle edge brightening. Fine cherry fruit, blackberry confit, delicate hints of nougat and precious wood, inviting bouquet. Juicy, elegant, taut minerality, fresh structure, fine tannins, salty on the finish, pleasantly lively style, very good length, sure aging potential." - Falstaff (95/100)
Where does this wine come from?
-
Appellation: Saint‑Émilion Grand Cru / Premier Grand Cru Classé (since 2012).
-
Location: South‑facing Côte de Pavie slope just outside the town of Saint‑Émilion, adjacent to Château Pavie and Pavie‑Macquin.
-
Vineyard size: About 10–11.3 hectares, on terraces of clay and fossil‑rich limestone over the edge of the plateau.
What grapes and style does it use?
-
Typical planting: ~78–83% Merlot and 17–22% Cabernet Franc, with Cabernet Franc’s share rising in recent years.
-
Style: Full‑bodied, plush and concentrated, but with strong stony/mineral notes and fresh acidity; often described as voluptuous yet vibrant, with saline or “salty‑mint” nuances on the finish in recent vintages.
-
Winemaking: Small parcels vinified separately; careful extractions; aging in French oak barrels (high proportion of new oak, usually 60–80%) to support structure and complexity.
How does a classic modern vintage of Larcis Ducasse taste?
-
Aromas: Fine cherry fruit, blackberry confit, delicate hints of nougat and precious wood, inviting bouquet.
-
Palate: Medium‑ to full‑bodied, rich, round and often opulent; layers of ripe dark fruits over a distinct limestone‑ and clay‑driven minerality, with polished tannins and vibrant acidity.
-
Finish: Long, perfumed and energetic, frequently with a savory, saline or “salty‑mint” twist that underscores the terroir.
How should you age and pair Château Larcis Ducasse?
-
Aging curve: Best in strong vintages with 10–15 years of bottle age; many top years (2010, 2015, 2016, 2020) are projected to evolve gracefully for 30+ years.
-
Decanting: Young vintages often benefit from 2–3 hours in a decanter to open aromatics and soften structure.
-
Food pairings: Roast lamb, beef and game; braised dishes; truffle and mushroom preparations; and richer poultry, which complement its mix of ripe fruit, spice and mineral freshness.
