(99+ points) The finest vintage here since the 2005, and a solid step up over the 2009, the 2010 Château Larcis Ducasse is just about pure magic and offers everything you could want from a Saint-Emilion. Still youthfully ruby/plum-hued, it opens up slowly with air with a smorgasbord-like array of ripe red and black fruits, truffly earth, green tobacco, flowers, and smoke. This carries to a full-bodied, concentrated wine offering building yet sweet tannins, a remarkable mix of richness and freshness, and a blockbuster finish. Wine doesn't get much better, and while this is absolutely sensational today, it has another 30 years of longevity. I wouldn't be surprised to see this eclipse the 2005 over the coming decade. Drink 2024-2054.

78% merlot 22% cabernet franc. 11.15 hectare vineyard with an average vine age of 35 years. Hand harvested and sorted at four different tables. Miniscule yields of only 19 hls/ha after sorting selection and saignee. Aged in 2/3 new oak and 1/3 one-wine old barrels. Merlot was harvested Oct 6 through 19 and cabernet on Oct 19. Opaque color that stains the glass the deeply concentrated nose is pure and intense with gobs of ripe fruit slowly opening to reveal some notes of wet stones and licorice. The palate is exotically flavored with mouth filling textures that is enlivened by some fresh acidity. Minerally tannins are seamlessly woven into the layered finish. A stunning vintage for Larcis Ducasse it will be drinkable a few years after release through 2030. Estate is managed by Nicholas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. 2200 cases produced. Tasted three times. 98

With intense aromatics and concentration of flavor, the wine is deep, powerful and long. It’s also filled with mineral essence, cocoa, licorice and ripe plums. The finish really coats your mouth and lasts for more than 40 seconds. But the wine is starting to tighten up. It’s going to need time to come around.

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Larcis Ducasse opens a little subdued, offering glimpses of tobacco leaf, cast-iron pan and dusty soil over a core of raisin cake and Indian spices plus a touch of figs. Full-bodied, rich and seductive, it has firm, plush tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and spicy.- LPB

Made from 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc, the 2010 Larcis Ducasse is deep garnet colored. Remarkably, it is still very closed and reduced to begin, offering vague tar and scorched earth notes at the very beginning before opening out to offer glimpses at a powerhouse of plum preserves, blackberry compote, and mince pie notes, followed by wafts of licorice, crushed rocks, and smoked meats. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with youthful black fruit and earthy layers, supported by firm, superbly fine-grained tannins and amazing tension, finishing very long. It needs another 5-7 years, at least, to hit its stride and should keep another 20-years+. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Made from 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc, the 2010 Larcis Ducasse is deep garnet in color. Remarkably, it is still very closed and reduced to begin, offering vague tar and scorched earth notes before opening out to reveal glimpses of a powerhouse of plum preserves, blackberry compote, and mince pie notes, followed by wafts of licorice, crushed rocks, and smoked meats. The full‑bodied palate is densely laden with youthful black fruit and earthy layers, supported by firm, superbly fine‑grained tannins and amazing tension, finishing very long. It needs another 5–7 years, at least, to hit its stride and should keep for another 20+ years. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The Left Bank character of this St Emilion wine is on full display. Concentration and depth, liquorice root and dark bitter chocolate. This is intense and the tannins remain just a little impenetrable. An impressive wine that speaks of its terroir and is packed with estate signature. Will age extremely well (I enjoyed a 100 year old wine from Larcis Ducasse in 2019, and wouldn't bet against this one making the grade). 60% new oak.

Clear sense of completion and balance, good depth and texture to the tannic architecture, with slate, cigar box, crayon, cassis, pomegranate, saffron, and oyster shell. Remains tight at this point, and the acidity is still on the austere side. Give it longer, and concentrate on the excellent 2009 for the next few years. Nicolas Thienpont director, Gratiot-Attmane owners.

My sample of Larcis was unexpectedly taciturn but gradually unfurls to reveal notes of crème de cassis blueberry fresh violets and cherry liqueur. The palate is very rounded on the entry supple tannins good weight and purity towards the caressing finish if not quite the tension or complexity of the 2009. A second bottle (a fresh example) is much more vibrant and precise.

This seems complete, with intense, vibrant currant preserves, blackberry coulis and dark cherry fruit seamlessly layered with graphite and melted red licorice notes. Dense, with lovely definition, offering black tea, toasted alder and ganache notes that fill and expand on the finish. Shows great length and drive. -- Larcis Ducasse non-blind vertical (December 2012). Best from 2018 through 2030. - JM

This seems complete, with intense, vibrant currant preserves, blackberry coulis and dark cherry fruit seamlessly layered with graphite and melted red licorice notes. Dense, with lovely definition, offering black tea, toasted alder and ganache notes that fill and expand on the finish. Shows great length and drive. -- Larcis Ducasse non-blind vertical (December 2012). Best from 2018 through 2030.