List of products by brand CHÂTEAU LARCIS DUCASSE
Château Larcis Ducasse stands today as one of the most compelling addresses in the Saint-Émilion appellation — a château whose remarkable turnaround since 2002 has been matched only by the quality of the terroir that underpins it on the Côte de Pavie.
A château with deep roots in Saint-Émilion
Château Larcis Ducasse was founded in 1893 and has belonged to the Gratiot Alphandery family since 2002, when they set about a thorough and ambitious revival of the estate. To lead that transformation, they called upon Nicolas Thienpont — one of Bordeaux's most respected vineyard managers — and Stéphane Derenoncourt, the celebrated consultant winemaker whose influence across the Right Bank has been profound. Together, they overhauled both the viticulture and the winemaking philosophy, placing precision and restraint at the heart of the project. The results were recognised formally in 2012, when the château was promoted to 1er Grand Cru Classé B in the Saint-Émilion classification — a distinction that confirmed what the finest vintages had already been demonstrating for several years. It is worth noting that the estate's reputation stretches back further still: Château Larcis Ducasse was awarded a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1867, a testament to the enduring quality of this particular corner of Saint-Émilion.
Terroir: the Côte de Pavie at its most expressive
The vineyard extends across 11 hectares within the Saint-Émilion appellation, in the commune of Saint-Émilion in the Gironde. The estate occupies a south-facing slope on the Côte de Pavie, one of the most prized exposures on the Right Bank. Soils vary across the holding: on the plateau, limestone, clay and chalk provide structure and freshness; on the terraces below, a more complex mix of chalky limestone, marl, sand, silt and clay adds nuance and textural depth. This diversity of subsoils, combined with the natural drainage and sun exposure of the south-facing slope, gives the wines a precision and mineral tension that sets them apart within the appellation.
Viticulture and winemaking
Under the direction of Thienpont and Derenoncourt, yields have been brought down to a disciplined 25 hl/ha — well below the appellation average — concentrating the expression of the terroir without sacrificing freshness or balance. The grape varieties planted are Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the classic pairing of the Saint-Émilion plateau, with Merlot dominating on the clay-limestone soils and Cabernet Franc lending structure and aromatic lift. The approach in the cellar reflects the same philosophy: attentive, unhurried, and focused on allowing the Côte de Pavie to speak clearly in the glass.
The wines of Château Larcis Ducasse
The château produces exclusively red wine under the Saint-Émilion appellation. The range reflects the estate's commitment to terroir-driven winemaking at this level of classification:
- Château Larcis Ducasse — the grand vin, a 1er Grand Cru Classé B Saint-Émilion of considerable depth and ageing potential, built on Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the Côte de Pavie
Why we have selected Château Larcis Ducasse
At Halles Quercamps, we have listed Château Larcis Ducasse because it represents one of the most coherent and well-documented success stories in modern Bordeaux. The combination of a genuinely exceptional terroir on the Côte de Pavie, a rigorous reduction in yields to 25 hl/ha, and the steady hand of Thienpont and Derenoncourt since 2002 has produced a château whose wines are both intellectually satisfying and genuinely pleasurable to drink. The 2012 promotion to 1er Grand Cru Classé B was not a surprise to those who had been following the estate — it was a confirmation. We recommend these wines to collectors and confirmed amateurs who appreciate the precision of Right Bank Bordeaux and are building a cellar with patience in mind. At the table, the grand vin pairs beautifully with roast lamb, duck with lentils, or a well-aged hard cheese.
Explore the wines of Château Larcis Ducasse
Browse our full selection of wines from this château in the listing below, and add to your cellar or basket directly from the page.
