Chateau Larcis-Ducasse is a Premier Grand Cru Classe B estate in the Saint-Emilion AOC of Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Already extremely popular and highly sought-after in the 16th century, Larcis Ducasse’s wines have continued to garner praise into the 21st century. It’s ownership has been in the same family since 1893.

Chateau Larcis-Ducasse’s 11 hectares of closely-grouped blocks occupies the tip of the famous Cote Pavie hill, west of Chateau Pavie and north of Chateau Troplong Mondot. The vineyards enjoy a fully south-facing position and are planted with 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc. Soil types range from alluvial sand deposits, to limestone, clay and chalk. The vines average 35 years of age.

Since 2002, Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt have led a new winemaking team. They have worked to further increase wine quality, investing considerably in the vineyard and cellar. They combine traditional methods with innovative techniques to complement the flavors of the land. Among the changes have been a new drainage system for the vineyard and an extended harvest that picks over several weeks as the various blocks become ready.

Chateau Larcis-Ducasse’s terroir produces wonderfully ripe grapes which result in complex, well-structured wines with fresh fruit and mineral flavors. These characteristics are, in part, attributable to the different bedrocks found on the property, from the limestone of the plateau to the iron-rich feldspar sand at the base of the slope.

Viticultural methods are as natural as possible. Yields are kept low in the vineyard were grape varieties were planted according to soil type. In the cellar, grapes undergo a gentle maceration to avoid over-extraction. Vinification takes place in concrete tanks with no pump-over. After fermentation, the wine is aged in barrel for eighteen months.