Chateau Larcis Ducasse 2020

- 96 Punkte Robert Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, William Kelley: „A beautiful effort that's more sensual and seamless than Thienpont's more structured, brooding Pavie Macquin, the 2020 Larcis Ducasse unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, blackberries, bay leaf, rose petals and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with refined tannins, lively acids and a suave, fleshy profile, it concludes with a long, expansive finish. This is a particular success in 2020.“

- 98 Punkte VINOUS, Antonio Galloni: „The 2020 Larcis Ducasse is a real showstopper. Bright and vertical in feel, the 2020 possesses tremendous energy to match ist super-classic build. Beams of tannin and acid give the wine ist shape. Dark cherry and pomegranate fruit are pushed forward, with a kick of blood orange acidity that lends freshness. Graphite, dried herbs ,menthol, spice and cedar emerge with some coaxing, but the 2020 is very and very primary. That of course bodes so well for ist future. The 2020 is quite simoly a thrilling Larcis and one of the very finest values in all of Bordeaux.“

- 95 Punkte VINOUS, Neal Martin: „The Larcis-Ducasse has closed a little since bottling, though there remains well-defined black fruit laced with rose petal and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, very pure and cohesive. Touches of cedar and tobacco impart a discrete Left Bank allure towards the persistent finish. This is a great Larcis-Ducasse in the making.“

- 98 Punkte DECANTER, Georgina Hindle: „Perfumed nose, heady and seductive, the aromas shining out of the glass. Full, rich and vibrant tones of blackcurrant and black cherry. Ripe and chewy, the tannins really are present and grippy but have a plushness and a bounce to them, they coat the entire mouth, seriously wide and expansive but are gentle even in their fillingness. A powdery blueberry juiciness with intense liquorice touches walks the line between freshness and power so well. Really a step up in quality, still tight, strong and not exactly charming at this point but there’s no faulting the winemaking here, this is direct, powerful and firm but so long with great acidity. Packed and charged, ripe and rich, yet round and balanced. I adore it.“

- Rene Gabriels BORDEAUX TOTAL, Andre Kunz: „Kunz Fassprobe 2021: Marmeladiges, süsses, kräftiges, pfefferiges Bouquet, Kirschenkompott, Rauch, weisser Pfeffer, braune Schokolade. Cremiger, voller, fruchtiger Gaumen mit süsser Frucht, gutem Tannin, dichter Struktur, kräftiger, dunkler Aromatik, langer, trockener Abgang. Kann noch zulegen.“

- 99 Punkte JEB DUNNUCK: „The Grand Vin comes from a tiny 11.15-hectare vineyard that has been in the Gratiot family since 1893. Located on the south-facing Côte Pavie, between Château Pavie and Château Bellefont-Belcier and consisting of clay on top of limestone soils, the vineyard has recently been going through a replanted phase using a selection massale and a higher density planting. The grapes are hand-sorted, vinification occurs all in concrete and spans four weeks, with the élevage in 50% new French oak. A normal blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Château Larcis Ducasse reminds me of the 2005 and is up with the top handful of wines on the Right Bank. It has a brilliant perfume of red and black fruits, white truffle, leafy tobacco, and Asian spices. This carries to a full-bodied, concentrated, powerful Larcis-Ducasse with ultra-fine yet building tannins, perfect balance, a stacked mid-palate, and one heck of a great finish. It's going to flirt with perfection in 7-8 years (I'm probably underrating it a point) and have 30 years of overall longevity. Tasted numerous times with consistent results.“

- 97-98 Punkte JAMES SUCKLING: „Blackberry and asphalt with cool minerals and a hint of mint. It’s full-bodied and chewy with intense flavors and a long, flavorful finish. Lots of chalk and an almost salty undertone.“

- 18+ Punkte WEINWISSER: „Tiefes Purpur mit opaker Mitte und zartem lila Rand. Konzentriertes dichtes Bouquet mit reifer schwarzer Kirsche, Pflaumenmus und Lakritze, dahinter Johannisbeerdrops und flüssige dunkle Schokolade. Am satten Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, herrlicher Extraktfülle, stützender Rasse und durchtrainiertem Körper. Im gebündelt kompakten Finale mit blaubeerigen Konturen, dunkler Mineralik und zarter Adstringenz. Grandiose Leistung dieses Jahr!“