La Côte Larcis: an intimate reading of the terroirs of Larcis Ducasse
Three interpretations of La Côte.
Three climats.
Three ways of expressing terroir.
There are places in Saint-Émilion whose very name evokes the essence of great terroir.
The hillside of Château Larcis Ducasse belongs to that rare category: a vineyard landscape sculpted over centuries, where vines exist in constant dialogue with limestone, clay and light.
With La Côte Larcis, the estate presents a singular and deeply contemporary interpretation of this historic slope: an exploration not merely of a great wine, but of the subtle nuances of the hillside that shapes its identity.
We were immediately captivated by this parcel-driven vision of La Côte Larcis, a remarkably precise and almost Burgundian approach to terroir — something rarely encountered in Bordeaux.
Today, we are delighted to offer this confidential release through a three-bottle case conceived as three distinct expressions of a single place.
A singular approach to terroir
At the origin of the project lies a simple yet compelling idea: that the Côte deserved to be told differently.
Behind the apparent unity of the hillside lies a remarkably complex geological mosaic. Layers of clay, limestone sands, Fronsadais molasse, changing exposures and shifting light all shape the rhythm, texture and energy of the wines.
With La Côte Larcis, Château Larcis Ducasse embraces an almost Burgundian reading of terroir, where each cuvée becomes the pure expression of a singular climat.
This collection offers a fascinating exploration of how a single hillside can reveal profoundly different identities through soil, relief and geological composition.
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé
A three-bottle case of expressions
La Côte Larcis 2021 — Deep rooted expression
At the foot of the slope, the vines sink deep into soils composed of clay and limestone sands in varying proportions.
Here, everything speaks of depth, structure and grounding.
The 2021 vintage “Racinaire” delivers a taut, mineral and deeply anchored expression, built around an assemblage of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
The wine appears to draw its energy directly from the depths of the hillside itself: precise texture, chalky freshness and restrained density combine to create an almost tactile interpretation of terroir.
La Côte Larcis 2023 — Bathed in light expression
At the top of the hillside appears the Fronsadais molasse, a sedimentary white clay that lends the wine its singular brightness and refinement.
The 2023 “Lumineux” offers a particularly refined sense of energy and precision. Its subtle élevage and mineral framework reveal a more aerial expression of the Côte, almost saline in its lingering impression.
A wine of relief and light, bringing this triptych to a close with remarkable finesse and momentum.
A Case Designed for Lovers of Great Terroirs
More than a limited release, La Côte Larcis is a genuine terroir experience.
Rarely has a collection illustrated with such clarity the influence of soil, slope and geology on the identity of a wine. Each bottle illuminates a different facet of the Côte and together they form an almost cartographic interpretation of the great hillside of Larcis Ducasse.
Confidential by nature, produced in limited quantities and reserved for only a handful of partners, this case is intended for discerning collectors, fine wine enthusiasts and those who believe that the greatest wines are, above all else, expressions of place.