Larcis Ducasse

History of Château Larcis Ducasse

The history of Château Larcis Ducasse dates back several centuries, with traces of viticulture on these lands since Roman times. It was truly from the 16th century that its wines began to become known and sought after. In 1777, the estate was mentioned as one of the most prized in the region, with bottles sold at a premium by the Libourne merchant Pierre Beylot.

In 1893, the estate was acquired by Henri Raba, a Bordeaux merchant passionate about wine. He modernised the property by building a state-of-the-art gravity-fed cellar, one of the first in the region, allowing for the preservation of grape quality and minimising handling. Under his direction, Larcis Ducasse experienced a new era of prosperity.

After Henri Raba's death, his family took up the torch, notably his niece Hélène Gratiot-Alphandery, a key figure in the management of the estate in the mid-20th century. Since 2002, under the direction of Nicolas Thienpont and oenologist David Suire, Larcis Ducasse has regained its former lustre, combining innovation and respect for traditions, and was promoted to 1er Grand Cru Classé in 2012. This prestigious title rewards the constant efforts to produce exceptional wines.

The 2005 vintage of Château Larcis Ducasse was rated 97/100 by Robert Parker, in recognition of the wine's richness and elegance.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Larcis Ducasse

The terroir of Château Larcis Ducasse is a true jewel of the Saint-Émilion region. Located on the Côte Pavie, one of the most renowned reliefs, the vineyard benefits from a full southern exposure that allows the grapes to receive optimal sunlight while being refreshed by breezes from the Dordogne. This unique climate, coupled with the diversity of soils, forges wines of incomparable complexity and balance.

The estate rests on three distinct types of terroir, each bringing a unique contribution to the wines:

The Saint-Émilion Plateau: This limestone geological formation is located at the top of the estate. The soil, rich in asteriated limestone, gives the wines a remarkable structure and minerality.

The Grande Côte de Saint-Émilion: This steep slope, with an incline of up to 25%, offers soils composed of white clays and Fronsac molasses. This unique terroir allows the vine roots to draw nutrients that bring freshness and vivacity to the wines.

The Foot of the Slope: Here, the slope softens, offering soils of sand and fluvial clay. This lighter soil helps to temper climatic excesses and brings additional delicacy to the wines.

The majority of the vineyard is planted with Merlot (78%), the king grape variety of Saint-Émilion, which brings roundness and richness to the wine. Cabernet Franc (20%) and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon (2%) complete this blend to offer additional tannic structure and aromatic complexity.

Vinification at Château Larcis Ducasse

The vinification process at Château Larcis Ducasse combines tradition and innovation to preserve the purity of the fruit and the typicity of the terroir. The estate has always been a pioneer in the use of cutting-edge techniques, as evidenced by the introduction of the gravity-fed cellar as early as 1898, which minimises grape handling and preserves their integrity.

The estate is also committed to environmentally friendly viticultural practices, promoting organic agriculture and biodynamic methods to preserve the natural balance of the soils. The harvest is carried out by hand, with rigorous sorting of the grapes in the vineyard and in the cellar to keep only the best fruits.

The grapes are gravity-fed into traditional cement vats, and fermentation takes place in whole bunches, without pumping over, but with pigeage to gently extract aromas and tannins. Maceration lasts about 25 to 28 days, allowing the full complexity of the grape varieties to be expressed. After malolactic fermentation, the wines are aged in French oak barrels, 67% of which are new, for a period of 18 to 20 months.

A small portion of the wines is also aged in amphorae, a traditional technique that preserves the intensity of the fruit while bringing a silky texture and remarkable freshness to the wines.

The cuvées of Château Larcis Ducasse

Château Larcis Ducasse produces two main cuvées, each reflecting the excellence of its terroir.

Château Larcis Ducasse - 1st Grand Cru Classé B

The estate's grand vin, made primarily from Merlot, is a model of elegance and finesse. With intense aromas of ripe black fruits, cherry and spicy notes, this wine is distinguished by its depth, fine tannic structure and a long, silky finish. Each vintage expresses the particularities of the terroir, offering a vibrant minerality and rare aromatic complexity.

The best vintages, such as 2005, 2009, 2015 or 2020, demonstrate this wine's ability to age beautifully, developing tertiary aromas of truffle, leather and undergrowth over time.

Murmure de Larcis Ducasse

Since 2010, the estate has produced a second cuvée called Murmure de Larcis Ducasse, from the same exceptional terroirs. This wine, produced in smaller quantities, is designed to offer immediate pleasure with aromas of red fruits, blackberry and a lovely freshness. It is distinguished by its elegant simplicity and conviviality, while faithfully reflecting the unique terroir of the estate.

Thanks to a skilfully balanced blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Murmure is a fruity and charming wine, ideal for more casual tastings while offering a true reflection of the expertise of Château Larcis Ducasse.

Saint-Émilion, a jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced vintages of exceptional quality over the years, delighting connoisseurs of fine wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The famous 1982 remains an undisputable reference. The following decades were equally impressive, with remarkable vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and ageing potential. More recently, the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages have shone through their balance and depth, reaffirming Saint-Émilion's reputation as one of Bordeaux's most sought-after appellations, where each new year continues to captivate fine wine enthusiasts with its consistent quality and elegance.

The classification of Saint-Émilion's Premiers Grands Crus Classés B, reviewed every 10 years, highlights exceptional châteaux from the Right Bank vineyard. Among those that continue to feature in this prestigious category are emblematic names such as Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Château Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau Lagarrosse, Château Bélair-Monange, Château Canon, Château Pavie-Macquin, Château Troplong-Mondot, Château Trottevieille, and Clos Fourtet. Others, promoted in 2012, such as Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Château Larcis-Ducasse, Château La Mondotte, and Château Valandraud, also illustrate the ever-increasing quality of the region's growths. However, some châteaux are no longer classified, such as La Gaffelière (since 2022) and Magdelaine (since 2006). This constant renewal ensures the excellence and evolution of the Saint-Émilion vineyard, where tradition and innovation blend harmoniously.

Château Larcis Ducasse is an essential reference among the great growths of Saint-Émilion. This historic estate, managed with passion and expertise by Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire, continues to innovate while respecting centuries-old tradition. The wines produced here, whether the prestigious 1er Grand Cru Classé or the seductive Murmure de Larcis Ducasse, captivate lovers of great Bordeaux with their balance, complexity and ability to age gracefully.