Chateau Larcis-Ducasse 2009

Avis professionnels

Robert Parker (96)

A complex set of aromas ranging from coffee to forest floor, herbs, licorice, blackberries, cassis and cherries all seem to jump from the glass, and then are joined by a hint of charcoal as well camphor. This is an impressive, full-bodied, dense, concentrated wine that is more up-front and approachable than the 2005 was at a similar stage, but it is remarkably expressive, full-bodied, dense and capable of lasting 20-25 years.

Showing better from bottle than it did from barrel, this wine comes very close to equaling the prodigious 2005 that was produced by consultants Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. Cropped at 25 hectoliters per hectare from the limestone hillsides of this terroir, the final blend was 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc that tipped the scales at 14.6% natural alcohol. It is a brilliant sample of wine, as this has long been one of the great terroirs of St.-Emilion, but under-exploited until nearly a decade ago.

Winespectator (91)

This has a distinctly burly edge that stands out from the pack, with dense, slightly chunky blueberry, black Mission fig and blackberry fruit flavors, backed by bittersweet cocoa and anise. Maybe a slight gamble for the chewiness to subside, though there is character to this.

Rene Gabriel (18)

Rene Gabriel rates this wine 18/20 points.