Château Lilian Ladouys Saint-Estèphe 2018 - Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Full-bodied, generous, distinctive—undoubtedly the most compelling expression of the terroir since the vintage’s sensational debut in 1989. Ready to drink.

About the estate:

After passing Cos d’Estournel, and directly across from Lafon-Rochet, the two towers of Lilian-Ladouys rise from a sea of vineyards. This 47-hectare estate was purchased by Jacky Lorenzetti in September 2008. As at Pédesclaux, Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen oversees the winemaking. Dense and deeply colored, the wines are instantly captivating. The archetype of a “super Bordeaux.”

Decanter

About the wine:

The nose is somewhat understated, but it has real power and structure. I’ve tasted it several times and have been extremely impressed by its complex notes of licorice, dark chocolate, and blackcurrant, which combine the power of a Saint-Estèphe with a touch of indulgence. 2024–2042

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 Château Ladouys, this estate had virtually disappeared. It was revived (and renamed after his wife) by Christian Thiéblot in the 1980s, then taken over by Natexis starting in 1989. In 2008, there was another change in ownership when Jacky and Françoise Lorenzetti (of Pédesclaux in Pauillac) took over; they had sold their network of real estate agencies to invest in the vineyard. They undertook an extensive restructuring program for the 45 hectares of vineyards.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

About the estate:

After passing through the hands of several owners who did not always know how to realize its potential, the unassuming Château Lilian Ladouys was purchased by businessman Jacky Lorenzetti in 2008. Lorenzetti, who went on to acquire Château Pédesclaux in Pauillac and Château Lafon Rochet in Saint-Estèphe, has grand ambitions for his wines. Lilian Ladouys, which has undergone extensive renovations in recent years, has found a very respectable rhythm over the past few vintages. The wine deserves the attention of wine enthusiasts.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Extensive renovation work is beginning to pay off in the quality of this estate’s latest vintage. The wine has depth, concentration, notes of dark chocolate, rich tannins, and equally rich aromas of blackberry. With its high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is meant to age and will not be ready until 2025.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Aromas of blackcurrant, dark chocolate, dried lavender, and graphite. It is full-bodied with firm, tight tannins. Taut and mineral-driven at the moment. Truly well-made.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The nose is highly complex, with a very good balance between fruit and aging. It has a subtle, deep character with hints of cherries and blackberries, as well as a touch of spice. On the palate, the wine is compact and slightly creamy. It has good body and features tight, refined tannins. These are perfectly integrated and provide ideal structure for the wine as a whole. A Lilian Ladouys full of finesse that seeks to impress through its subtlety rather than its power. 2024–2040