Critic Notes
The wine boasts 14.6% natural alcohol and is a final blend of roughly three-fourths Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, cropped at a ridiculously low 19 hectoliters per hectare. Notes of licorice, garrigue, incense, smoked meats, espresso, creme de cassis and blackberry liqueur jump from the glass of this unbelievably intense wine. Remarkably full, with compelling freshness and precision, this is a fabulous effort in 2010. It will probably close down over the next several years, and not re-emerge for at least a decade, something that often happens with the bigger, richer, more muscular St.-Emilions from the limestone hillsides and plateaux. This is one of the superstars of the vintage and a profound wine. Drink it between 2020 and 2045.||By any standard of measure, this is the second greatest wine I have ever tasted from Larcis Ducasse, eclipsed only by the perfect 2005. Winemaker Nicolas Thienpont, with Stephane Derenoncourt in the background, have hit pay dirt with this 2010 from Larcis-Ducasse’s vineyard of 28 or so acres of the famous Cote Pavie’s decomposed limestone. Wine Advocate.February, 2013
Score: 98-/100Robert Parker
Larcis Ducasse The color of dark, purple ink, pungent aromas of crushed stone, fresh ground spice, licorice, and intense jammy berries lead the wine to a powerful, rich, dense, sexy mouthful of opulent, juicy fruit. This wine coats your palate. Long, pure and incredibly rich, this offers competition to the sublime 2005 Larcis Ducasse. winecellarinsider.com
Score: 95-97/100Jeff Leve
The intensity to this wine is incredible with an electric dark fruit character and dark chocolate note. It’s so lively and vibrant. Full and beautiful. jamessuckling.com
Score: 95-96/100James Suckling
Dark, rich and concentrated. Beautiful fruit at the perfect pitch of ripeness. Palate balanced by fresh acidity. Persistent. Harmonious. James Lawther, decanter.com
Score: 18-/20Decanter
The 2010 Larcis Ducasse gives off aromas of cedar, roasted meat, spices, and ripe plums, and has wonderful and complex layers of flavour, with great depth of fruit. In this powerful, well made and full bodied style, all the elements are heightened and elevated.. Both samples tasted were very impressive ?this is a fantastic wine! asianpalate.com
Score: 93-95/100Jeannie Cho Lee MW
A nice winey core of crushed red and black currant fruit is laced with ample anise and graphite notes. Stretching out nicely already on the finish, with fresh acidity. James Molesworth, winespectator.com
Score: 92-95/100Wine Spectator
My sample of Larcis was unexpectedly taciturn but gradually unfurls to reveal notes of crème de cassis, blueberry, fresh violets and cherry liqueur. The palate is very rounded on the entry, supple tannins, good weight and purity towards the caressing finish, if not quite the tension or complexity of the 2009. A second bottle (a fresh example) is much more vibrant and precise. Tasted April 2011. Neal Martin erobertparker.com
Score: 92-94/100Neal Martin
Dark, vibrant crimson. Mid ripeness level. Sweet start and real vibrancy on the palate. Very polished in a modern but not exaggerated way. Quite racy on the finish. jancisrobinson.com
Score: 16.5-/20Jancis Robinson