2017 Larcis Ducasse
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Gunpowder and blueberry fruit on the nose. Chalky, ripe and crunchy on the palate. Firm but bright in fruit. Will the tannins settle in time? Somewhat warming alcohol on the finish – it is in an awkward moment. (TP)
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Larcis Ducasse was picked from 18 September until 2 October. It has a very well defined bouquet with tightly wound black cherries, raspberry and bilberry fruit, touches of iodine developing in the glass, comparatively intense for a 2017 vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, but just missing that "spark" that would elevate it higher. It has fine density and gentle grip with touches of brown spice and mint towards the finish. It finishes in rather "serious" fashion with moderate length. Tasted at the Larcis Ducasse vertical in Bordeaux.
The 2017 Larcis Ducasse is just as compelling from bottle as it was from barrel. Pliant and deep, with terrific fruit purity, Larcis possesses striking fruit purity and tons of resonance. Red cherry, blood orange, pomegranate, mint, spice, licorice and mocha infuse the 2017 with striking complexity as well as nuance. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. Larcis is never one of the most obvious wines in Saint-Émilion, but it is often among the most regal. Best of all, Larcis remains one of the best values anywhere in the world.
About the producer
Over the last two decades, Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire have forged this estate’s reputation – crafting increasingly impressive wines from its 11 hectares of south-facing slopes on clay-limestone soils.