2020 Lilian Ladouys

Drink Date
2025 - 2043

Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown

comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of crushed black cherries, kirsch and warm cassis, plus hints of cinnamon stick, dusty soil and wild sage. The medium-bodied palate delivers mouth-filling black berry and earthy layers, supported by ripe, approachable tannins and a racy backbone, finishing on a lingering mineral note. A property to watch—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 typical 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 37 years in 2020.

The 2020 Lilian Ladouys offers light blackberry, raspberry and sous-bois scents on the nose, although to my recollection, the previous two vintages demonstrated a little more fruit intensity. The medium-bodied palate offers grainy tannins and fine acidity. Quite peppery, especially toward the finish, with bay leaf and tea leaf notes infusing the black fruit. Classic Saint-Estèphe in style. This should drink well for 12–15 years. - Vinous.com

A very pretty, medium-bodied wine with fine tannins, lovely fruit and a creamy finish. Nicely integrated for the vintage in this appellation.

59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Fragrant and fruit-driven on the nose with a hint of oak. Juicy and full across the palate with a touch of sweetness on attack. Fine, powdery tannins spread behind, which tighten to a dry finish. Compact and not overworked. (JL)

The 2020 Lilian Ladouys is deep, fleshy and super-expressive. This midweight, gracious Saint-Estèphe has so much to offer. Silky tannins and bright aromatics complement a core of bright red fruit in the 2020, a gorgeous wine that will drink well right out of the gate. As always, this Merlot-driven Saint-Estèphe offers quite a bit of immediacy. This is the first vintage in the conversion to organic farming. Warm temperatures caused concentration on the vine, especially for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields at the property were 45 hectoliters per hectare as opposed to the normal 52 or so.

vinous.com

I am really liking the spicy quality to the fresh, sweet red fruits, cigar wrapper, cedar and blackberries on the nose. Medium/full-bodied, round, soft and energetic, there is richness along with soft textured tannins, ripe dark red fruits and a hint of cocoa in the finish. 92-94

This estate continues to deliver the goods, and the 2020 Château Lilian Ladouys is another smoking wine readers will love. Lots of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and damp earth give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, textured, beautifully balanced red that will drink well for 20 years or more.

Tasted by Jane Anson(at Primeur week tastings in Bordeaux, 01 May 2021)
Part of Best St-Estephe 2020 wines tasted en primeur

Juicy, well balanced, plenty of personality, with enough juice through the mid palate to balance out the big tannins that are pretty inescapable in any wines of ambition in 2020. The finish closes in sharply, but this is an enjoyable wine from the Lorenzetti-owned Lilian Ladouys (and for me one of the clear leaders of the new Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel category). 35% new oak, harvest September 15 to 30, 78% first wine.

Drinking Window 2026 - 2040