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.

The 2017 Larcis-Ducasse Bordeaux Blend is a notable wine from the Saint-Émilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France. Produced by Larcis-Ducasse, this red wine showcases the traditional Bordeaux blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. It comes bottled with a cork closure and has an alcohol content of 14.5%.

Professional reviewers have given high marks to this vintage, with James Suckling awarding it a standout 96 points, describing it as "full-bodied, intense, and beautiful" with "tightly wound tannins that spin through the center palate." He suggests that this wine will reach its prime after 2025.

Vinous also rated the wine 96 points, noting its complexity and nuance. Antonio Galloni of Vinous wrote, "Red cherry, blood orange, pomegranate, mint, spice, licorice, and mocha infuse the 2017 with striking complexity as well as nuance." He praises its "terrific fruit purity" and "tons of resonance," calling it "one of the best values anywhere in the world."

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gave it 95 points, emphasizing its "bright, energetic fruit and loads of minerally sparks," and highlighting its enticing nose of "kirsch, warm blackberries, baked plums, and wild blueberries." The publication commends its "great poise and subtlety," with Lisa Perrotti-Brown describing the finish as having "great length."

Jeb Dunnuck, who also rated it 94 points, noted the wine's "complex bouquet of spiced red and black fruits, white truffle, smoked game, and hints of underbrush." He praised its "medium to full-bodied richness" and "nicely integrated acidity," suggesting it be given 4-5 years of bottle age for optimal enjoyment.

Wine Spectator awarded it 93 points, highlighting its "core of gently mulled plum and dark cherry fruit flavors," along with notes of "rooibos tea, incense, and red licorice." They describe it as "refined and focused" and recommend enjoying it from 2022 through 2035.

Wine Enthusiast also rated it 93 points, noting that while it is currently muted, it will reveal "smoky fruits, rich tannins, impressive concentration, and a core of black-plum and berry flavors" as it opens up. They recommend drinking it from 2024.

The 2017 Larcis-Ducasse is a wine of complexity and balance, with multiple reviewers praising its potential for aging and its intricate flavor profile. It stands out as a refined and elegant example of a Bordeaux blend, promising a rewarding experience for those patient enough to allow it to mature.