Château Larcis Ducasse St-Émilion 1. Grand Cru Classé B 2016

James Suckling

The aromas here are so spellbinding with shitake mushrooms, wet earth and moss, as well as tree bark and, finally, dark fruit. The palate is incredible as it builds and grows with full body, but always tight and reserved. It shows so much depth and complexity.

Yohan Castaing

Iris, very floral, superb nose of iris with magnificent clarity of fruit. Purity and precision on the palate, verticality and a very good management of acidity from the early fruit which adds soul to it. All in delicacy and linearity. Crystalline and pure. Well done!

Jean-Marc Quarin

It is one of the revelations of this tasting and the best wine made in this property. A sensation already experienced at the castle last October. Medium intensity nose, fruity and above all truffled. Soft on the attack, very melting in the development, fragrant (which is difficult given its power), juicy, noble to the touch and yet a tad southern, the wine develops very long and deep. Superb.

Jeb Dunnuck

From one of my favorite estates in Bordeaux, the deeply colored 2016 Château Larcis Ducasse is comprised of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 50% new French oak. It offers a huge bouquet of black, black fruits, smoked herbs, forest floor, graphite, and underbrush that builds beautifully with time in the glass. Deep, rich, opulent and expansive on the palate, with building tannins, it’s a rich, layered Saint-Emilion as well as another incredible wine from this estate. Give it a few years if you can.

Vinous

The 2016 Larcis Ducasse is absolutely gorgeous. Fresh, vibrant and alluring, with tremendous vibrancy, the 2016 has so much to offer. Expressive savory and blood orange notes add brightness to the red cherry and plum fruit, with beams of firm yet well-integrated tannins that give the wine its shape and energy. In 2016, Larcis brings together undeniable raciness and power in a complete package that is irresistibly beautiful.

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Full bodied, luxurious, deep, fresh and sweet, the wine has power, purity, minerality and length. There is concentration, complexity and on the finish, it is incredibly polished and silky with layers of fruit and persistence. Made from a blend of 87% Merlot, harvested October 12 to October 20 and 13% Cabernet Franc.

Tastingbook.com

Markus del Monego MW

Dark purple red with violet hue and black core. Opulent nose blackberry jam, black cherry jam, discreet spiciness in the background as wella as hints of toasted gingerbread. On the palate opulent and rich with ripe and silky tannins, sweet fruit and excellent length.

Andreas Larsson Blind Tasted

Robert Parker

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Larcis Ducasse sashays gracefully out of the glass with beautiful Black Forest cake, red cherry compote, raspberry preserves and blackberry pie scents plus hints of cigar box, Ceylon tea, dried lavender and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers gorgeous red and black fruit preserves flavors with a wonderfully plush texture and very long, perfumed finish.

Chris Kissack, The Wine Doctor

“From the Pavie slopes, this is dark and perfumed, with an aromatic nose, fragrant and confident, releasing scents of black bean and black pepper over and above the fruit, all laced with praline, toast, cocoa bean and vanilla, as well as touches of smoke and salt. The palate feels very accomplished with a velvety texture, full of creamed fruit, in a savoury, dark and spicy style, dressed with notes of black pepper, black bean, crushed black plum and damson, black currant and black olive. The tannic undercurrent feels firm, tightly knit and velvety, giving the wine fabulous grip, yet it feels fresh and composed. It finishes long, the length charged with tannic energy. This is an excellent vintage for Larcis Ducasse.

Bettane & Desseauve

Rigor and density, length and intensity, refined, perfectly ripe tannin. Will assert itself over time.

Wine Spectator

Features a lovely profile, with caressing edges but a very focused feel, as cassis, plum reduction and blueberry preserve flavors stream through together, flanked by dark tea and singed apple wood notes. A bolt of chalk emerges steadily through the finish, keeping this well-grounded. This will need some time to unwind fully.