Open-knit, charming, earthy, and herbaceous, with abundant quantities of sweet black cherry and currant fruit as well as a tremendous fragrance, this is a sensual, lush, rich claret that transcends the vintage characteristic of hard, tannic, structured wines. Ripe, but not nearly as concentrated as the 2003, this enormously appealing 2002 should be drunk over the next 6-7 years. This 26.7-acre vineyard merits serious consideration. For more than five decades, this fabulous terroir (just down the street from Pavie), with a brilliant south-facing exposition on pure clay and limestone soils, with vines averaging 40 years of age, made one mediocrity after another. That all changed after the outstanding duo of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt arrived as consultants in 2002. Larcis Ducasse is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Aromas of plum tart and vanilla with hints of wild forest fruits. Full-bodied, with lovely silky tannins and bright fruit. Pretty wine. This is the first year that Nicholas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt took over, and it shows. Serious stuff here. Excellent length. One of the surprises of the vintage. Best after 2008.