Château Larcis Ducasse

History of Château Larcis Ducasse

The history of Château Larcis Ducasse dates back several centuries, with traces of viticulture on these lands as far back as Roman times. It was 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 a premium by the Libourne merchant Pierre Beylot. 

In 1893, the estate was acquired by Henri Raba, a Bordeaux wine merchant with a passion for wine. He modernized the property by constructing a gravity-fed cellar at the cutting edge of progress, one of the first in the region, making it possible to preserve the quality of the grapes and minimize handling. Under his leadership, Larcis Ducasse entered a new era of prosperity.

After the death of Henri Raba, it was his family that took up the torch, and 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 the oenologist David Suire, Larcis Ducasse has recaptured 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 aimed at producing exceptional wines.

The 2005 vintage of Château Larcis Ducasse was awarded a score of 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 jewel of the Saint-Émilion region. Located on the Côte Pavie, one of the most renowned hillside sites, the vineyard benefits from a full south-facing exposure that allows the grapes to receive optimal sunshine while being cooled by breezes from the Dordogne. This unique climate, coupled with the diversity of the soils, produces wines of unparalleled 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 top of the estate. The soil, rich in astéries limestone, gives the wines a remarkable structure and minerality.

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 vivacity to the wines.

Le Pied de Côte: Here, the slope eases, offering soils of sand and fluvial clay. This lighter soil helps temper climatic extremes and brings an 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 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 a gravity-fed cellar, which minimizes the handling of the grapes and allows their integrity to be preserved.

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 harvest is carried out by hand, with rigorous sorting of the grapes both in the vineyard and in the cellar to retain only the finest fruit.

The grapes are vatted by gravity in traditional cement tanks, and fermentation takes place with whole bunches, without pumping over, but with punch-downs to gently extract the aromas and tannins. The maceration 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 bringing a silky texture and a remarkable freshness to the wines.

The Wines of Château Larcis Ducasse

Château Larcis Ducasse produces two main wines, 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 spicy notes, this wine is distinguished by its depth, its fine 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 ability 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 wine 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 beautiful freshness. It stands out for its elegant simplicity and conviviality, while faithfully reflecting the unique terroir of the estate.

Thanks to a carefully 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, 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 also remains an undisputed reference. The following decades were no less remarkable, with outstanding 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 the reputation of Saint-Émilion 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 classification of Premiers Grands Crus Classés B of Saint-Émilion, revised every 10 years, highlights exceptional châteaux from the right bank vineyard. Among those that 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, also illustrate the ever-rising quality of the region's wines. 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 respecting 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, their complexity, and their ability to age gracefully.