The 2018 Lilian Ladouys is such a gorgeous wine. Black cherry, gravel, scorched earth, leather and dark spice give the 2018 a brooding aromatic profile that suggests a potent wine. On the palate, though, the Lilian Ladouys is quite a bit more restrained than the bouquet indicates, in a good way. The 2018 is wonderfully deep and fleshy, but not at all heavy, with a natural sense of radiance that complements the more rustic leanings of Saint-Estèphe. There is plenty of pleasure to be found here. In a word: terrific.

The 2018 Lilian Ladouys now comes from double the size of vineyard since they acquired and amalgamated two new estates: Tour de Pez and Clauzet. It has an extrovert bouquet with multi-layered red and black fruit, iris flowers and iodine scents, though it does not possess the delineation of the finest recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with firm and quite bold tannins. This is a very intense Saint-Estèphe, cohesive and focused, though it needs just a little more finesse on the finish.

In 2018, the Lorenzetti family purchased two neighbor estates, Château Clauzet and Château Tour de Pez, adding these to the Lilian Ladouys vineyard to almost double its planted area to 77 hectares. These additional vineyards are composed of gravelly soils of the same level as the best blocks of Lilian Ladouys. Soils are a typically Saint-Estèphe mix of sandy-gravel and clay with some limestone deposits. It is planted at 8,500-10,000 vines per hectare, with an average vine age of 35 years in 2018. The wine will see 12 months aging in 35% new and 65% two-year-old barriques. The blend is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, and it has 14.41% alcohol. From the lieu-dit Blanquet and with a deep purple-black color, the 2018 Lilian Ladouys gives up wonderfully spicy black fruit preserves notions: plum preserves, crème de cassis and blueberry with hints of exotic spices, menthol and violets. Medium to full-bodied, firm and fine-grained in the mouth, it has layer upon layer of rich, spicy black fruits with a lift to the finish.

Cru bourgeois exceptionnel . 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Fine and fragrant with blueberry and blackcurrant notes. Finely textured tannins with lovely purity of fruit. Builds on the palate. Firm, long finish. Manages freshness although the alcohol is perceptible. Ageing potential. (JL)

Barrel sample. Black core with purple rim. Lively and open on the nose, a touch floral as well as plenty of black fruit, plus an attractive savoury black-olive-like layer even though the oak is quite evident too. Lots of everything. Really chewy on the palate, compact, dry tannins but they are not overworked. Freshness on the finish though the tannins block the very end. (JH)

Tasted blind. Smudgy crimson. Sweet, rather undistinguished fruit. Though the tannins are not too punishing. (JR)