2003 Larcis Ducasse
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Tasting notes
Showing beautifully, yet at full maturity, the 2003 Larcis Ducasse comes from a magical terroir located on the steep limestone and clay slopes just outside the village of Saint Emilion. Based on 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, it reveals a medium ruby color as well as complex notes of kirsch, spiced currants, smoke tobacco, and damp earth and soil notes. Medium to full-bodied and nicely textured on the palate, it has good concentration and balance, moderate acidity, resolved tannins, and outstanding length. It holds up nicely with air and should have a gradual decline, but this isn’t getting better. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful 2003 that offers loads of charm.
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More reviews and scores
In 2003, the terrific duo of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt along with David Suire and Julien Lavenu managed to exploit this property’s limestone hillside vineyards, which were less affected by the heat and drought than vineyards on St.-Emilion’s other terroirs – the gravelly/sandy soils. Sweet fig, plum, black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with balsam wood, underbrush and baking spice aromas jump from the glass of this opulent, rich, fully mature, luscious, seductive wine. This is Bordeaux at its sexiest. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.
Medium red. Somewhat sauvage aromas of wild strawberry, redcurrant, smoked meat, tobacco, leather and roasted nuts. Supple and sweet but also nicely delineated for the year, with the fine-grained texture shown by this chateau's wines under the Thienpont/Derenoncourt regime. Finishes with sweet tannins and very good length. There's plenty of chalky energy and personality here, even if the flavors are a bit wild.
About the producer
Over the last two decades, Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire have forged this estate’s reputation – crafting increasingly impressive wines from its 11 hectares of south-facing slopes on clay-limestone soils.