2012 Larcis Ducasse

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.

Tasted blind. Juicy nose but it already has an edge of oxidation. One of the ultra-modern wines trying to eke concentration out of an unconcentrated vintage? (JR)

The 2012 Larcis Ducasse remains quite deep in colour. It has an intense bouquet, although it has eased off the accelerator in recent years, exhibiting scents of blackberry, briary, sage and hints of iodine. There is a touch of precocity in situ, but it feels nicely contained and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins, leaning to what one might describe as a "modern" style of Saint-Émilion. Velvety smooth in texture, there is a luxuriant carapace of new oak, but that is proportionate to the fruit concentration underneath. Afford it another three to five years in bottle. Excellent. Tasted at the Larcis Ducasse vertical in Bordeaux.