The wine boasts 14.6% natural alcohol and is a final blend of roughly three-fourths Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, cropped at a ridiculously low 19 hectoliters per hectare. Notes of licorice, garrigue, incense, smoked meats, espresso, creme de cassis and blackberry liqueur jump from the glass of this unbelievably intense wine. Remarkably full, with compelling freshness and precision, this is a fabulous effort in 2010. It will probably close down over the next several years, and not re-emerge for at least a decade, something that often happens with the bigger, richer, more muscular St.-Emilions from the limestone hillsides and plateaux. This is one of the superstars of the vintage and a profound wine. Drink it between 2020 and 2045.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #205, Feb 2013)

Wow. This is really intense with amazing dark fruit character of crushed blueberries and minerals. It’s full-bodied, with super integrated tannins and a superb finish that lasts for minutes. A fabulous wine. Better in 2019.

– jamessuckling.com, October 2012

Tasted twice both at the UGC in London and in Bordeaux, the Larcis Ducasse (83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc picked between 6th and 19th October and raised in 60% new oak for 16 to 18 months) has a ripe, opulent bouquet with ravishing dark plum and boysenberry fruit with good definition – certainly a Saint Emilion that shows the personality of the previous vintage. The palate is sweet and sensual on the entry with fine minerality showing through. It is very complex, more controlled on the finish than some recent vintages with great poise. This is an excellent Saint Emilion to join the great 2009. Tasted November 2012.

– eRobertParker.com, Mar 2013

A rich, tongue-coating style, with loamy structure and dense plum sauce, roasted fig and warm dark currant confiture notes, all inlaid with espresso and graphite. Still tightly drawn now, this needs a bit more cellaring to unfurl fully, but there's beautiful polish and lovely fruit worth waiting for. Best from 2016 through 2030. 2,900 cases made.

– James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, March 2013)