94 points James Suckling: "Blackcurrant, bitter-chocolate, dried-lavender and graphite aromas. It’s full-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Tight and mineral at the moment. Really well-crafted. Try from 2024. (1/25/21)"
94 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "Considerable renovation work is beginning to pay off in the quality of this latest vintage from this estate. The wine has depth, concentration, dark-chocolate flavors, rich tannins and equally rich blackberry fruits. With its high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon,the wine is set for aging and will not be ready before 2025. Alcohol 14.5%. (Apr 2021)"
93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot). Owed by Jacky Lorenzetti (new owner also of Ch Lafon Rochet in the same appellation), this is one of those surefire estates that delivers St Estèphe power with a touch of luxury. There are layers of ripe black fruits and chewy tannins here, so it will benefit from a few more years in bottle or a serious carafing before drinking. 48hl/h yield, 35% new oak with both 225l and 400l barrels. Converting to organic farming as of 2020. Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2023-2034. (7/29/21)"
93 points Decanter: "Really scented, perfumed, violets, roses, bramble fruit, dark chocolate, liquorice, menthol aromas. Very densely tannic palate consistent with the origin. Mineral black slate is the main flavour on the finish. Drinking Window: 2023-2032. (Feb 2023)"
93 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "It’s my second look at this wine this year, as I last took a look only a month or so ago, in the course of my recent Cru Bourgeois tastings. This is another château, like Le Crock, where the concerted efforts of the proprietor and his team, in this case led by Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen who also runs Château Pédesclaux, is producing results. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates at 59% of the blend, and the ripeness of the fruit comes through as blackcurrant and blackberry fruit wrapped up in threads of dark chocolate and olive. The palate is so sweetly judged, the tannins ripe but elegantly formed, with fresh acidity for balance. So much better than Lilian-Ladouys used to be, this is now jostling for top cru bourgeois position in the appellation. (Feb 2021)"
93 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Full-bodied, spicy, smoky and floral with layers of tobacco and black currants. Full-bodied, round, lush and loaded with sweet, juicy red and black fruits, give it time to come around, at least 6 years or so. The wine was produced using 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. (Mar 2021)"
92 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2018 Lilian Ladouys is showing nicely now that the wine is in bottle. It has a riper bouquet compared to, say, the Calon-Ségur, more lush – a 2018 with wider appeal, featuring blueberry and cassis scents that soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that disguise the backbone of this Saint-Estèphe. It is not the most powerful Lilian Ladouys in recent years, safeguarding its linearity and strictness all the way through to the finish. But it conveys a sense of classicism and has abundant freshness that should see it age well over the next two decades. Drink: 2023-2040. (Mar 2021)"
92 points Jeb Dunnuck: " A year-in, year-out value, the 2018 Château Lilian Ladouys checks in as 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that was brought up in 35% new oak. Jammy blueberries, ripe cherries, damp earth, tobacco, and spicy wood notes define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a plump, rounded texture, opulent aromas and flavors, and a great finish. Drink: 2021-2036. (3/11/21)"
92 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep dark ruby, violet tints, delicate bright rim. Delicate floral underlay of cherry confit, fresh blackberries, a hint of orange zest. Powerful, taut, tight-knit, dark nougat, vivid tannins that seem a little dry, chocolatey finish. (May 2019)"
92 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2018 vintage confirms its high quality, as do previous vintages. The wine is full of fruit and freshness, with a smooth and silky texture. (2022)"
94 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "Considerable renovation work is beginning to pay off in the quality of this latest vintage from this estate. The wine has depth, concentration, dark-chocolate flavors, rich tannins and equally rich blackberry fruits. With its high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon,the wine is set for aging and will not be ready before 2025. Alcohol 14.5%. (Apr 2021)"
93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot). Owed by Jacky Lorenzetti (new owner also of Ch Lafon Rochet in the same appellation), this is one of those surefire estates that delivers St Estèphe power with a touch of luxury. There are layers of ripe black fruits and chewy tannins here, so it will benefit from a few more years in bottle or a serious carafing before drinking. 48hl/h yield, 35% new oak with both 225l and 400l barrels. Converting to organic farming as of 2020. Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2023-2034. (7/29/21)"
93 points Decanter: "Really scented, perfumed, violets, roses, bramble fruit, dark chocolate, liquorice, menthol aromas. Very densely tannic palate consistent with the origin. Mineral black slate is the main flavour on the finish. Drinking Window: 2023-2032. (Feb 2023)"
93 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "It’s my second look at this wine this year, as I last took a look only a month or so ago, in the course of my recent Cru Bourgeois tastings. This is another château, like Le Crock, where the concerted efforts of the proprietor and his team, in this case led by Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen who also runs Château Pédesclaux, is producing results. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates at 59% of the blend, and the ripeness of the fruit comes through as blackcurrant and blackberry fruit wrapped up in threads of dark chocolate and olive. The palate is so sweetly judged, the tannins ripe but elegantly formed, with fresh acidity for balance. So much better than Lilian-Ladouys used to be, this is now jostling for top cru bourgeois position in the appellation. (Feb 2021)"
93 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Full-bodied, spicy, smoky and floral with layers of tobacco and black currants. Full-bodied, round, lush and loaded with sweet, juicy red and black fruits, give it time to come around, at least 6 years or so. The wine was produced using 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. (Mar 2021)"
92 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2018 Lilian Ladouys is showing nicely now that the wine is in bottle. It has a riper bouquet compared to, say, the Calon-Ségur, more lush – a 2018 with wider appeal, featuring blueberry and cassis scents that soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that disguise the backbone of this Saint-Estèphe. It is not the most powerful Lilian Ladouys in recent years, safeguarding its linearity and strictness all the way through to the finish. But it conveys a sense of classicism and has abundant freshness that should see it age well over the next two decades. Drink: 2023-2040. (Mar 2021)"
92 points Jeb Dunnuck: " A year-in, year-out value, the 2018 Château Lilian Ladouys checks in as 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that was brought up in 35% new oak. Jammy blueberries, ripe cherries, damp earth, tobacco, and spicy wood notes define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a plump, rounded texture, opulent aromas and flavors, and a great finish. Drink: 2021-2036. (3/11/21)"
92 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep dark ruby, violet tints, delicate bright rim. Delicate floral underlay of cherry confit, fresh blackberries, a hint of orange zest. Powerful, taut, tight-knit, dark nougat, vivid tannins that seem a little dry, chocolatey finish. (May 2019)"
92 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2018 vintage confirms its high quality, as do previous vintages. The wine is full of fruit and freshness, with a smooth and silky texture. (2022)"
| Product SKU | 356276 |
| Producer | Lilian Ladouys |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| SubRegion | Left Bank |
| Appellation | St-Estèphe |
| Varietal | Cabernet/Bordeaux Blends |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 1.5L |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot |
| ABV | 14.5% |
| Ships To |
