Château Larcis Ducasse

History of Château Larcis Ducasse

The history of Château Larcis Ducasse stretches back several centuries, with traces of viticulture on these lands dating back to Roman times. It is truly from the 16th century onwards that its wines began to make a name for themselves and to be sought after. In 1777, the estate was mentioned as one of the most prized in the region, with bottles sold at premium prices by the Libourne merchant Pierre Beylot. 

In 1893, the estate was acquired by Henri Raba, a Bordeaux merchant with a passion for wine. He modernized the property by constructing a state-of-the-art gravity-fed winery, one of the first in the region, allowing the quality of the grapes to be preserved while minimizing handling. Under his direction, Larcis Ducasse entered a new era of prosperity.

After the death of Henri Raba, it was his family who took up the torch, most notably his niece Hélène Gratiot-Alphandery, a key figure in the management of the estate in the mid-20th century. Since 2002, under the leadership of Nicolas Thienpont and oenologist David Suire, Larcis Ducasse has reclaimed its former glory, combining innovation with respect for tradition, 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 100/100 by Robert Parker, a recognition of the richness and elegance of this wine.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Larcis Ducasse

The terroir of Château Larcis Ducasse is a true gem of the Saint-Émilion region. Located on the Côte Pavie, one of the most renowned slopes, the vineyard benefits from a full south-facing exposure that allows the grapes to receive optimal sunshine while being refreshed by breezes from the Dordogne. This unique climate, combined with the diversity of soils, produces wines of incomparable complexity and balance.

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

Le Plateau de Saint-Émilion: This limestone geological formation is located at the summit of the estate. The soil, rich in astéries limestone, imparts a remarkable structure and minerality to the wines.

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

Le Pied de Côte: Here, the slope becomes gentler, offering soils of sand and fluvial clay. This lighter soil helps temper climatic excesses and brings additional delicacy to the wines.

The majority of the vineyard is planted with merlot (78%), the king grape of Saint-Émilion, which brings roundness and richness to the wine. Cabernet franc (20%) and a hint of cabernet sauvignon (2%) complete this blend to provide additional tannic structure and aromatic complexity.

Winemaking at Château Larcis Ducasse

The winemaking 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 as early as 1898 of the gravity-fed winery, which minimizes grape handling and preserves their integrity.

The estate is also committed to environmentally responsible viticultural practices, promoting organic farming and biodynamic methods to preserve the natural balance of the soils. The harvests are carried out by hand, with rigorous sorting of the grapes both in the vineyard and in the winery to retain only the finest fruit.

The grapes are gravity-fed into traditional cement tanks, and fermentation takes place with whole clusters, without pumping over, but with punch-downs to gently extract aromas and tannins. The vatting period lasts approximately 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, of which 67% 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 imparting a silky texture and remarkable freshness to the wines.

The cuvées of Château Larcis Ducasse

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

Château Larcis Ducasse - 1er Grand Cru Classé B

The estate's Fine Wine, made predominantly from merlot, is a model of elegance and finesse. With intense aromas of ripe dark fruits, cherry, and spiced notes, this wine is distinguished by its depth, its refined tannic structure, and a long, silky finish. Each vintage expresses the particularities of the terroir, offering a vibrant minerality and a rare aromatic complexity. 

The finest vintages, such as 2005, 2009, 2015, and 2020, bear witness to this wine's capacity to age magnificently, developing over time tertiary aromas of truffle, leather, and undergrowth.

Murmure de Larcis Ducasse

Since 2010, the estate has produced a second cuvée called Murmure de Larcis Ducasse, sourced 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 approachability, while faithfully reflecting the unique terroir of the estate.

Thanks to a skillfully balanced blend of merlot and cabernet franc, Murmure is a fruity and charming wine, ideal for more relaxed tastings while offering a true reflection of the expertise of Château Larcis Ducasse.

Saint-Émilion, a jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced over the years vintages of exceptional quality, delighting lovers of great wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The celebrated 1982 remains an undisputed reference. The following decades were no less impressive, with remarkable vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and aging potential. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have shone for their balance and depth, reaffirming Saint-Émilion's reputation as one of the most sought-after appellations in Bordeaux, where each new year continues to captivate lovers of great wines with its consistent quality and elegance.

The Premiers Grands Crus Classés B classification of Saint-Émilion, revised every 10 years, highlights exceptional estates from the right bank vineyard. Among those who continue to feature in this prestigious category, one finds iconic 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, equally illustrate the ever-rising quality of the region's crus. On the other hand, certain châteaux are no longer classified, such as La Gaffelière (since 2022) and Magdelaine (since 2006). This constant renewal guarantees 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 wines of Saint-Émilion. This historic estate, led with passion and expertise by Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire, continues to innovate while honoring a centuries-old tradition. The wines produced here, whether the prestigious 1er Grand Cru Classé or the captivating Murmure de Larcis Ducasse, enchant lovers of great Bordeaux wines with their balance, complexity, and graceful aging potential.