Blackcurrant, bitter-chocolate, dried-lavender and graphite aromas. It’s full-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Tight and mineral at the moment. Really well-crafted. Try from 2024.
Considerable renovation work is beginning to pay off in the quality of this latest vintage from this estate. The wine has depth, concentration, dark-chocolate flavors, rich tannins and equally rich blackberry fruits. With its high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon,the wine is set for aging and will not be ready before 2025. (Cellar Selection)
A little subdued on the nose, but with real power and direction. Tasted a few times and extremely impressed with the layers of liquorice, black chocolate and cassis, harnessing the power of a St-Estèphe and adding a gourmet twist. Drinking Window 2024 - 2042.
In 2018, the Lorenzetti family purchased two neighbor estates, Château Clauzet and Château Tour de Pez, adding these to the Lilian Ladouys vineyard to almost double its planted area to 77 hectares. These additional vineyards are composed of gravelly soils of the same level as the best blocks of Lilian Ladouys. Soils are a typically Saint-Estèphe mix of sandy-gravel and clay with some limestone deposits. It is planted at 8,500-10,000 vines per hectare, with an average vine age of 35 years in 2018. The wine will see 12 months aging in 35% new and 65% two-year-old barriques. The blend is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, and it has 14.41% alcohol. From the lieu-dit Blanquet and with a deep purple-black color, the 2018 Lilian Ladouys gives up wonderfully spicy black fruit preserves notions: plum preserves, crème de cassis and blueberry with hints of exotic spices, menthol and violets. Medium to full-bodied, firm and fine-grained in the mouth, it has layer upon layer of rich, spicy black fruits with a lift to the finish.
Barrel Sample: 90-92
A year-in, year-out value, the 2018 Château Lilian Ladouys checks in as 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that was brought up in 35% new oak. Jammy blueberries, ripe cherries, damp earth, tobacco, and spicy wood notes define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a plump, rounded texture, opulent aromas and flavors, and a great finish.
The 2018 Lilian Ladouys is such a gorgeous wine. Black cherry, gravel, scorched earth, leather and dark spice give the 2018 a brooding aromatic profile that suggests a potent wine. On the palate, though, the Lilian Ladouys is quite a bit more restrained than the bouquet indicates, in a good way. The 2018 is wonderfully deep and fleshy, but not at all heavy, with a natural sense of radiance that complements the more rustic leanings of Saint-Estèphe. There is plenty of pleasure to be found here. In a word: terrific.
This has a nice winey core of steeped red and black currant fruit laced with bay, charcoal, savory and olive notes. The fruit keeps pace through the mineral-edged finish, with a late tug of dark earth. Solid, if just slightly on the rustic side of the stylistic ledger. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2031. 28,300 cases made.
TWI
90pts
The Wine Independent
The 2018 Lilian Ladouys is deep garnet purple in color. It features cassis, baked plums, and raspberry leaves, with touches of pencil shavings and tobacco. Medium-bodied, it has chewy tannins and just enough fruit, finishing savory.