Larcis-Ducasse St-Émilion 2015

99 points James Suckling: "The aromas to this are phenomenal with oyster shell, blackberries, iodine and black truffles. Full-bodied, layered and so refined and intense. Love the texture and intensity. Chalky. Amazing. Goes on for minutes. Try in 2023. (12/27/18)"

97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2015 Larcis Ducasse is just as compelling from bottle as it was from barrel. Rose petal, lavender, spice and mint give it an attractive upper register that melds seamlessly into a core of inky red and purplish fruit. Dense, powerful and overt, the 2015 also has quite a bit of freshness to liven up the flavors. Silky tannins and soft contours add to the wine's racy, sensual personality. The 2015 is going to be virtually impossible to resist in its youth. Drink: 2022-2040. (Feb 2018)"

96 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "Composed of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Larcis Ducasse is deep garnet colored. The nose is a little shy and grumpy to start off, offering glimpses at tar, damp soil, truffles, burnt rubber, and smoked meats notes, before going full peacock and revealing gregarious notes of kirsch, juicy black plums, wild blueberries, and violets, followed by a waft of star anise. The full-bodied palate explodes with bright, opulent red, black, and blue fruit layers, showing off this vineyard's remarkable tension and very fine-grained tannins, finishing very long and very fragrant. Enjoy it now, after decanting a good 2-3 hours previously, or forget it in the cellar for another 6-8 years and drink it over the next 25 years+. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2028-2053. (9/28/22)"

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A more elegant, finesse-driven style of cuvee than normal, the 2015 Château Larcis-Ducasse is comprised of close to 90% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc. It reveals a terrific bouquet of cassis, spring flowers, cedary spice and forest floor, with more graphite and lead pencil nuances developing as it sat in the glass. With full-bodied richness, a tight, backward, yet promising style on the palate, beautiful tannin quality, and a great finish, it’s an undeniably classy, balanced 2015 that will reward 2-4 years of bottle age. Drink: 2020-2040. (11/30/17)"

95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Larcis Ducasse opens with opulent scents of blueberry pie, baked plums and spice cake with nuances of unsmoked cigars, dusty soil, licorice and a touch of salami. Big, rich, full-bodied and incredibly impactful on the palate, it proudly struts its bold black and blue fruits with a plush, velvet-textured cape, finishing long and spicy. Drink: 2022-2042. (Feb 2018)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "This nearly gushes with succulent plum, blackberry and black currant preserve flavors, but they stay on the racy and refined side overall, flecked with anise, Lapsang souchong tea and violet notes. A lovely chalky spine controls the finish with a deft hand. Best from 2020 through 2035. 2,375 cases made. (3/31/18)"

95 points Decanter: "This is absolute proof that I can love a rich, bristling St-Émilion when it is in balance. An excellently located Nicolas Thienpont-run estate, it clearly shows the potential of a property that has not always got it right. It has lots of power, coiled and ready to spring, but there is an austerity and salinity that pays you back for the punch. Very good, will age superbly. Drink: 2023-2040. (Dec 2017)"

95 points (17.5/20)/'Le Coup de Coeur,' La Revue du Vin de France: "Deeply colored, ripe, naturally sunny, this wine surprises with the fresh amplitude of its material. Satiny flesh and concentration without saturation: the terroir fully expresses its originality thanks to its preserved acid potential. (2018)"