Murmure de Larcis Ducasse 2019
The whisper of place
The 11-hectare vineyard sits on the hallowed south-facing slopes of Saint-Émilion’s renowned La Grande Côte (Côte du Pavie), in the limestone and Molasse du Fronsadais soils between Château Bellefont-Belcier and Château Pavie.
With an esteemed history dating back to the 1500s, the property was purchased by Henry Raba in 1893. Through several generations—from André Raba to Hélène Gratiot-Alphandéry and Jacques-Olivier Gratiot—the estate has stayed in the family. Today, the Gratiot-Alphandérys are still at the helm.
Since 2002, viticulture has been in the hands of modern grape growing’s most famous student of philosophy and self-made terroirist Nicolas Thienpont, and the winemaking has been overseen by Bordeaux’s most famous hitchhiker, the legendary Stéphane Derenoncourt. Both of whom also work with neighbouring Château Pavie-Macquin.
Murmure de Larcis Ducasse 2019
Merlot 99%, Cabernet Franc 1%
Fermentation is in cement tanks with gentle pigeage.
Maturation is in French oak, approximately 50% new.
Appearance: Dark Ruby colour, opaque, still youthful around the edges.
Aroma: A lifted bouquet of plum and blueberry pie, with tobacco leaf, cooking chocolate, coffee grounds and five spice.
Palate: the wine has real presence on the palate, with depth and concentration. There is layers of ripe fruit, with the confected forest berries and satsuma plum being very seductive and sensuous, before giving way to baking spices, fine but firm tannins, and a subtle, salty minerality.
As the second wine of Château Larcis Ducasse, the name le Murmure (“the murmur”) refers to the wine gently speaking of its place. Yet to me, this is a wine that proudly, confidently, and boldly speaks of its year. 2019 is a vintage of warm, dry, impeccable conditions, creating a second wine here that is of remarkable complexity, depth and quality. Drinking superbly, this is a great buy and a wonderful way to get to know this exceptional (but perhaps a little under-the-radar) producer. 93/100
Darren Gall
