Chateau Larcis Ducasse Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012

The 2012 Larcis Ducasse is gorgeous. Bright, floral and silky on the palate, the 2012 exudes freshness and class. Silky, perfumed and exceptionally polished, the 2012 is absolutely gorgeous. It may not be the biggest, richest or most powerful wine in this tasting, but it is surely among the most delicious. The 2012 can be enjoyed now for its youthful fruit or cellared for several decades.

This great terroir, long owned by the Gratiot family, has come to life under the inspired winemaking of Nicolas Thienpont and Stéphane Derenoncourt. Some recent vintages have been legendary efforts, especially 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The 2012 (83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc) is right in the competition, with an inky, opaque, bluish/purple color, gorgeously sweet, rich nose of black raspberries, black cherries and currants, and licorice. The wine hits the palate with a full-bodied, thunderous effect. This blend tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol, which is indicative of its fabulously exposed vineyard on a full, steep limestone slope with a primarily southern exposure. This is full-bodied, ripe and one of the great stars of the vintage – again. The wine has full-bodied texture, gorgeous purity, richness and length. Drink it over the next 20 years.

The 2012 Larcis Ducasse has a simple nose with blackberry and raspberry fruit, good concentration though it needs a little more delineation, which actually develops with a few minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant, fleshy tannins. White pepper and cedar infuse the red fruit with an insistent, sappy finish; this will give another 10-15 years of drinking pleasure. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

(83% merlot and 17% cabernet franc; 28 h/h production): Purple-ruby. Piquant notes of cinnamon, ink and white pepper perk up the red berry and cherry aromas on the captivating nose. Then sweet, suave and dense on the palate, with noteworthy precision to the red berry, mineral and floral flavors. Finishes silky and long. A marvelous wine by which to celebrate the chateau's upgrade to 1er Grand Cru Classe status.