2016 Chateau Lilian Ladouys Saint-Estephe

About the Wine 

From the south-west of the Saint-Estèphe appellation, not far from Château Cos d’Estournel and Château Lafite-Rothschild, the estate of Lilian Ladouys is producing wines from Saint-Estèphe’s finest terroirs. In 2008, when the Lorenzetti family took responsibility for this historic property with viticultural roots that reach back to 1564, they fully restructured the vineyards and the cellars. 

Their work paid off. In 2020, Château Lilian Ladouys was classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel! That same year, the Chateau made the commitment to convert their vineyards to 100% organic agriculture by 2023. The Lorenzetti family is taking this Domaine to new heights, and it's only a matter of time before they're firmly placed within the upper echelon of Bordeaux Chateau!

2016 Chateau Lilian Ladouys is the estate’s Grand Vin, a Left Bank wine that’s a blend of mainly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine goes into gravity-fed vats and undergoes vinification with a partially gravity-based system, which is more sensitive to the integrity and subtleties of the grapes and the wine.

The result is a wine that has caught the attention of the world’s most prominent critics who sing the praises of this charming “perennial overachiever” that should continue to age nicely in the cellar for the next 10 years, at least.

Aging: 15 months in 30% of new barrels 

Reviews

Firm and silky with a lovely depth of fruit and polished tannins. Some cedar and berry. Full and dense. Excellent length. Energetic acidity at the end. Yes. Better than the super 2014. Best ever. ~93-94 James Suckling

Now under the same ownership as vastly improved Chateau Pedesclaux in Pauillac, this estate is also on the upward quality curve. This wine has the structure and tannins of a classic Saint-Estphe as well as juicy, rich black fruits. ~92 Wine Enthusiast

A perennial overachiever, the 2016 Château Lilian Ladouys brings the goods in 2016 and has a complex, medium to full-bodied, character-filled style to go with loads of blue fruits, incense, dried herbs, and a hint of violets. A blend of 62% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot all raised in 30% new barrels, this charming, front-end-loaded effort is well worth seeking out. It should keep for 10-15 years. ~92 Jeb Dunnuck

The 2016 Lilian Ladouys is opulent and vivacious on a nose of red currant and raspberry fruit, well-integrated oak, and lovely rose petal aromas. The medium-bodied palate delivers supple tannins, well-judged acidity, a good body, and a grippy but detailed finish with veins of blue fruit. This is a joy to drink but it needs a couple of years. ~92 Vinous Media.

The 2016 Lilian Ladouys is a blend of 62 Merlot, 32 Cabernet Sauvignon and 6 Petit Verdot aged in 30 new French oak for 15 months. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it sings of baked plums, creme de cassis and Black Forest cake with bay leaves, pencil lead and menthol. Medium-bodied, elegant and packed with vibrant flavor layers, it finishes long. ~91 Robert Parker 

Very lively, featuring a fun mix of cassis, plum paste and cherry preserve flavors, framed with floral and mineral notes. The light-handed toast lets the fruit shine through the finish, with persistent chalky minerality. ~91 Wine Spectator

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