Château Lilian Ladouys Saint Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

Stefan Dolhain

2018 vintage. This estate was bought by Jacky Lorenzetti in 2007 and the investments are paying off (see also the spectacular quality improvement at their Pauillac estate Pédesclaux). While previous vintages featured a majority of Merlot, this 2018 is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37%. Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. This might very well be the best vintage to date for Lilian Ladouys in a year where Jacky's daughter Manon joined the business. She is highly devoted to organic farming and the Lorenzetti estates are now officially in conversion to organic. Moreover, Lilian Ladouys was promoted to "Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel" status in 2020. An estate to watch and the wines are very affordable too at around 20 euros. Classic nose with ripe cassis and cedar wood, intertwined with a fresh minty aroma. In the mouth the fruit is concentrated and layered with amazing freshness and a solid ripe tannin structure that make the alcohol (abv. 14,5%) go unnoticed. Long mineral finish. Highly recommended. Still very young, give it time to open up or decant. Should age beautifully for at least 15 years.

Dan R

Wow what an oddball, and an outlier, certainly for the region and especially the appellation. Clarity-wise, looks almost like Barolo, but with a dark purple hue. Medium-bodied, weight-wise drinks somewhere between Chinon and a Burg. I like it, it's just bizarre. Quite minty / floral / savory - very lilac, damp leaves, dried herbs. High-toned cherry on the mid-palate. Really, really minty. Delicate finish, wispy tannins, nice acidity. Well ok then...

Stefan Dolhain

2015 vintage. An unusually high percentage of Merlot for Saint-Estèphe. This estate is owned by the quality-conscious Lorenzetti family (who did such a great job at Pédesclaux in Pauillac), and it is great value.

Tam Chambers

Boston dinner - Work group@- great wine

Jukka Sund

5.1.2024 Jukka 3 Päivi 2 Pirkko 2 Seppo 3

Jason Keefer

Very nice mag with great qpr. Cranberry, oak, velvety tannins.

Ray Vanderhoff

Blend of Merlot (62%) Cabernet Sauvignon (33%), Petite Verdot (3%) and Cabernet Franc (3%). Medium garnet color. Aromas of blueberry, mint, chocolate and orange zest. Palette features blueberry and black raspberry and hints of plum, vanilla, cedar and dark chocolate. Hint of chalk on the bright and velvety finish. Quite linear and lean. Nice acidity levels.

Cindy Chiu

A sophisticated full bottle red with clean finish. Goes well with spaghetti.

Garrett Reed

Awesome and very smooth

Adam Gäfvert

Merlot-dominant. Väl avvägd fruktighet, tillgänglig men inte för generös. Medelfyllig, medel tannin. Plommon, mörka bär, blyerts och cigarrlåda. Går ok att dricka nu även om en handfull år säkert gör gott.