Larcis Ducasse 2005 (1.5L)

100 RP / 100 JD / 96 VM

With an unbelievable nose of licorice, tapenade, black cherry and blackcurrant liqueur, as well as full body, super-sweet tannin, and astonishing richness and length, this prodigious effort in 2005 announced the resurrection of this great terroir on the slopes near Chteau Pavie. Dark garnet/plum/purple, this is compelling stuff and drinkable already, but capable of lasting another 25-30 years. This beauty is not to be missed! Only 3,000 cases were produced, from a blend of 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

An absolute blockbuster effort from the Thienpont team, the 2005 Château Larcis Ducasse offers up everything you could want from a bottle of wine… and then some. Deep purple/plum hued with a kaleidoscope-like array of black currants, black cherries, tobacco smoke, truffly earth, leather, and chocolate, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, opulent mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It’s one of those incredibly powerful yet weightless, elegant wines that are so hard to find. A blend of 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, this is up there with some of the greatest Saint-Emilion ever made. Drink bottles over the coming two decades. 04/2024 --Jeb Dunnuck

Almost shockingly young, tannic and tightly wound for a wine of its age, the 2005 is positively stellar. The continual interplay of fruit richness and tension in the 2005 is simply mesmerizing. Even so my biggest takeaway from this tasting is just how young the 2005 is. Antonio Galloni - Vinous Media.