This shows so much class and balance with blackberry and mushroom character. Some wet earth. It makes you want to drink it! Fine and ripe tannins. Gorgeous. Drink in 2018. – jamessuckling.com, Feb 2015

A deep, powerful wine, the 2012 Larcis Ducasse is holding much of its obvious pedigree and potential close to the vest. Smoke, dark cherry, licorice, spice and leather emerge as this exquisitely layered Saint-Emilion opens up in the glass. The 2012 is deep, virile and intense for the year, but it also needs time to fully emerge. Smoke, game, tobacco, licorice and incense add nuance on the powerful, virile finish. One of the most promising wines of the year, the 2012 Larcis Ducasse has it all going on. Today, the 2012 comes across as understated, but there is plenty of density as well as potential in the glass.

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.

The Larcis-Ducasse is a blend of 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc picked on 11th-18th October and 18th October respectively, cropped at 28hl/ha. The nose is very complete even at this primal stage with copious but regimented dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit – the oak seamless integrated and lending it great volume. The palate is ripe and sexy on the entry with seamless tannins and a velvety texture. It is very controlled, very focused – modern in style but filled to the brim with panache. Nothing out of place here! Very good potential. T– eRobertParker.com, May 2013

Dark and winey, with steeped currant, macerated plum and warm boysenberry coulis flavors, laced with licorice snap and roasted apple wood notes. The charcoal edge is buried on the finish, with a lingering minerality. Lots going on here. Needs time. Best from 2017 through 2027. 2,330 cases made. – James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, March 2015)

(83% merlot and 17% cabernet franc; 28 h/h production): Purple-ruby. Piquant notes of cinnamon, ink and white pepper perk up the red berry and cherry aromas on the captivating nose. Then sweet, suave and dense on the palate, with noteworthy precision to the red berry, mineral and floral flavors. Finishes silky and long. A marvelous wine by which to celebrate the chateau's upgrade to 1er Grand Cru Classe status.

[70M/30CF] Very sweet, but very fresh, with a lovely sweetness of flavour within an oak dry texture, and a nice complexity before a slightly warm finish. [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2013]

Deep ruby. On the cusp of muddy and voluptuous! Certainly very different from the norm. Broad and rich. Arguably a bit too rich but not just sweet. I’d like just a bit more freshness. – jancisrobinson.com, Oct 2014