Gorgeous, juicy fruit, with light wood, full and velvety tannins, and loads of Indian spices. Though there's lots going on, I was expecting a little more. 92-95 points, James Suckling for The Wine Spectator, Online March 25, 2010.
This is another 2009 that does not live up to the extraordinary quality of the 2005, but it is a fascinating wine nevertheless. Composed of 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc, it tips the scales at 14.8% natural alcohol. The wunderkind team of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt has produced a dense, rich, soft, relatively seamless, elegant example of Larcis Ducasse, without the concentration found in the 2005. The 2009 reveals a generous sweet spot in the middle along with lots of glycerin, and a wonderful round opulence, but I did not see the potential complexity or sheer concentration of their best wine to date, the 2005. Look for the 2009 to age easily for two decades. (Tasted four times.) 91-94 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Apr 2010)
Bright medium-dark red. Gorgeous nose of fresh blackcurrant, strawberry-rhubarb, minerals and almond flower shows an almost fruit cocktail-like quality. Pure, juicy and bright, with delicious flavors of spicy red cherry, plum and minerals. Harmonious acidity gives the wine superb definition and lift but there's also superb sweetness and depth here. Finishes with very smooth, integrated tannins and uncommon precision and lingering spicy/floral perfume. A big success for this chateau. 91-94 Points, Ian D'Agata for Stephen Tanzer's Int'l Cellar (May 2010) | 
