Château Lilian Ladouys Saint-Estèphe 2020 - Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

After passing Cos d'Estournel, and facing Lafon-Rochet, the two towers of Lilian-Ladouys emerge from a sea of vines. This 47-hectare property was purchased by Jacky Lorenzetti in September 2008. As at Pédesclaux, technical supervision is provided by Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen. Dense and colorful, the wines offer immediate appeal. The archetype of a super Bordeaux.

Decanter

About wine:

Clean and crisp, it is delicate and satisfying. Silky and expressive, with a beautiful chalky sensation, well-integrated tannins, and high acidity. Balanced on the palate, it is a well-crafted and charming wine. I like its soft structure; it still has definition and strength, but the fresh red and blue fruits and herbal accents are more prominent than the texture at the moment, giving it a lot of nuance and detail. First year of organic conversion. 2024-2034

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

In the 14th century, La Doys was a farmstead belonging to Lafite. After enjoying its heyday at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries under the name Ch. Ladouys, this wine had practically disappeared. It was revived (and renamed after his wife) by Christian Thiéblot in the 1980s, then by Natexis from 1989 onwards. In 2008, there was another change of ownership with Jacky and Françoise Lorenzetti (Pédesclaux in Pauillac), who sold their network of real estate agencies to invest in the vineyard. They undertook a vast program to restructure the 45 hectares of vines.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Having had several owners who did not always know how to exploit its potential, the discreet Château Lilian Ladouys was bought by businessman Jacky Lorenzetti in 2008. Lorenzetti, who subsequently acquired Château Pédesclaux in Pauillac and Château Lafon Rochet in Saint-Estèphe, has great ambitions for his wines. Lilian Ladouys, which has undergone extensive renovation in recent years, has found a very respectable cruising speed over the last few vintages. The wine deserves the attention of wine lovers.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

Barrel sample. The combination of powerful tannins and equally generous black fruit bodes well for this wine's development. Grand, rich, and juicy with a dense structure, this wine is destined for long-term aging.

Vinous

About wine:

Lilian Ladouys 2020 is a real charmer, just as it was in the barrel. Silky, aromatic, and nuanced, Lilian Ladouys presents a profile that evokes red fruits, cedar, spices, and crushed flowers. This medium-bodied Saint-Estèphe is simply magnificent. 2023-2032

James Suckling

Terre de Vins

About wine:

The deep, brilliant color hints at its concentration. While the nose remains subtle at first, it develops into a racy bouquet of stone fruit aromas as it breathes. The palate confirms this, dense and tight, with very elegant tannins. It deserves a Favorite, just like in 2019! A fresh and sapid balance—what a success!

Yves Beck

About wine:

Lilian Ladouys 2020 displays a beautiful diversity and has plenty to offer, both in terms of aroma and taste! It showcases its terroir while mastering its renowned power. It goes even further than that, complementing its power with finesse. A sort of Iron Man dancing salsa. It reminds me of the estate manager, actually! This is undeniably a great Lilian Ladouys. You'll need to be patient, because it's packed with tannins. 2026-2045

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The wine has a medium-intensity ruby color. The nose is reserved at first, but benefits from aeration. It then expresses notes of wild strawberry, crushed strawberry, cherry, raspberry, creamy blackcurrant, morello cherry, cherry yogurt, blackberry, and blueberry jam, combined with subtle spicy notes (licorice stick, clove, ground nutmeg, a sweet touch of cinnamon and vanilla), roasted notes (toasted hazelnut, caramel in the background), wild mint, chocolate-covered cherries, and flowers (violet, peony, blueberry). The palate is enveloping and silky, with a soft and velvety yet assertive tannic structure and beautiful acidity. It expresses flavors of wild strawberry, morello cherry, red cherry jam, creamy blackcurrant, redcurrant jelly, mint chocolate, chocolate-covered cherries, as well as delicate and integrated sweet spices (licorice, grated nutmeg, cloves, toasted vanilla), roasted flavors (mild coffee, toasted hazelnut), dried mint, and flowers (violet, iris, cornflower).  The finish is long and rich, with lots of fruit and a subtle hint of cocoa in the background. A rich, complex and elegant wine, accessible in its youth but capable of evolving for years to come.