Chateau Larcis Ducasse 2020

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."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Transparent and pure with crushed stone and flowers such as violets, as well as minerals and blackcurrants. Bramble berries as well. Medium to full body. Tight and very fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Kicks off at the end. So fresh and energetic. Tannic in the finish with fine texture. Drink after 2028."

DECANTER: "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."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "If you are seeking a masterclass in minerality, taste this wine! The nose screams crushed rocks, stones and oceanic influences before moving to its flowers, licorice, black cherries, plums, and espresso nose. Concentrated, full-bodied and intense, with layers of mineral-infused black and red fruits, the wine builds, lingers and expands, finishing with vibrancy, refinement, and elegant, sweet, ripe, luscious red fruits with a touch of salt in the tannins. Drink from 2026-2055."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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."

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!"

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Frische schwarze und rote Beerenfrucht, zarte florale Noten, ein Hauch von Edelholz, mineralisch-kühles Bukett. Saftig, elegant, frische reife Kirschfrucht, lebendig strukturiert, salziger Touch, vom Terroir geprägter lebendiger Stil, bleibt gut haften, rotbeerige Nuancen im Nachhall, ein finessenreicher Speisenbegleiter."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Ripe, polished and direct, with cassis and black cherry puree forming the core, while light black licorice, violet and sweet tobacco details fill in steadily through the finish. A poised, understated style. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038. 2,850 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Heady nose. Lots there in decent balance on the palate – in fact it’s reasonably restrained while showing the opulence and ripeness of the appellation. Appetising and quite long."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This wine is in a classic style. Tannins and structure are as important at this stage as the vibrant black fruits. It's good for long-term aging. Drink from 2027."