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 rise from a sea of vines. This 47-hectare estate was purchased by Jacky Lorenzetti in September 2008. As at Pédesclaux, Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen oversees the winemaking. Dense and colorful, the wines are instantly captivating. The archetype of a super Bordeaux.

Decanter

About the wine:

Clean and crisp, it is delicate yet satisfying. Silky and expressive, with a lovely chalky texture, well-integrated tannins, and high acidity. Balanced on the palate, it is a well-crafted and charming wine. I love its gentle structure; it always has definition and strength, but the fresh red and blue fruits and herbal notes are more prominent than the texture at the moment, which lends 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 Château Ladouys, this estate had virtually disappeared. It was revived (and renamed after his wife) by Christian Thiéblot in the 1980s, then by Natexis starting in 1989. 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 restructuring program for 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:

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 subsequently acquired 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 lovers.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Tasting note. The combination of powerful tannins and equally generous black fruit bodes well for this wine’s development. Full-bodied, rich, and juicy with a dense structure, this wine is built for long-term aging.

Vinous

About the wine:

Lilian Ladouys 2020 is a true charmer, just as it was in the barrel. Silky, aromatic, and nuanced, Lilian Ladouys offers 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 the wine:

The deep, brilliant color hints at its intensity. Indeed, while the nose remains subtle at first, it develops a refined character as it opens up, revealing notes of stone fruit. The palate confirms this, dense and tight, with exceptionally elegant tannins. It deserves a Favorite, just like in 2019! A fresh and savory balance—what a success!

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The 2020 Lilian Ladouys displays a wonderful complexity and has plenty to offer, both on the nose and on the palate! It showcases its terroir while maintaining its characteristic power. It goes even further than that, balancing that power with finesse. A sort of Iron Man dancing the salsa. It reminds me of the estate’s director, 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 the wine:

The wine has a ruby color of medium intensity. The nose is reserved at first but opens up with aeration. It then reveals 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 cherry, and flowers (violet, peony, cornflower). The palate is enveloping and silky, with a soft, velvety yet assertive tannic structure and lovely acidity. It expresses flavors of wild strawberry, morello cherry, red cherry jam, creamy blackcurrant, redcurrant jelly, mint chocolate, chocolate-soaked cherry, as well as delicate, integrated sweet spices (licorice, grated nutmeg, clove, toasted vanilla), roasted notes (mild coffee, toasted hazelnut), dried mint, and flowers (violet, iris, cornflower).  The finish is long and rich, with plenty of fruit and a subtle hint of cocoa in the background. A rich, complex, and elegant wine, approachable even in its youth, yet capable of aging for years.