Lilian Ladouys St-Estèphe 2020

93-95 points Wine Enthusiast: "Barrel Sample. The combination of powerful tannins and equally generous black fruits is a fine harbinger for this wine's development. Big, bold and juicy with a dense structure, the wine is for longterm aging."

93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2020 Lilian Ladouys is a real charmer, just as it was from barrel. Silky, aromatic and nuanced, Lilian Ladouys presents a profile redolent of red fruit, cedar, spice and crushed flowers. This mid-weight Saint-Estèphe is just gorgeous. Drink: 2023-2032. (Dec 2022)"

93 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "Clean and crisp, this is smooth and satisfying, silky and expressive with lovely chalky sensation to the well-integrated tannins and high acidity. Balanced weight on the palate, this feels well worked and charming. I love the gentle framing, it still has definition and push, but the red and cool blue fruit and herbal accents are more to the fore than the texture right now giving lots of nuance and detail. First year in organic conversion. Drinking Window: 2024-2034. (1/31/23)"

93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc). This is superlative stuff, confident and enjoyable, although it has the slightly fierce tannins of St Estèphe, and needs to smooth out further with a few more years in bottle. Love the dark chocoalte and slate combination that slows things down, adding texture and restraint to the ripe berry fruits. 35% new oak, harvest September 15 to 30. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2026-2040. (1/16/23)"

93 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Fresh espresso, blackberries, flowers, spice box, chocolate and spearmint create the complex nose. On the palate, the wine really shines with its layers of ripe, sweet, fresh and vibrant cherries and blackberries, creamy tannins and hint of cocoa in the finish. And as good as this wine is, it sells for a song. Fans of Left Bank Bordeaux should be all over this gem. Drink from 2024-2040. (Mar 2023)"

92 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Seemingly always terrific, the 2020 Château Lilian Ladouys shows the class of the vintage and has a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, yet silky, perfectly balanced style with tons to love. Darker fruits, damp earth, truffle, and beautiful spice-driven aromatics define this beauty, and while it's already accessible, I'm sure will evolve gracefully for 10-15 years. Drink: 2023-2038. (3/29/23)"

92 points James Suckling: "This is a young 2020 that is back ended with a serious finish of solid and polished tannins and plenty of juicy fruit. Medium body. Racy structured. Excellent length at the end. Try after 2025. (11/23/22)"

92 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The wine of Lilian-Ladouys gets better every year under the direction of Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen, and the 2020 continues this trend. The blend is still dominated by Merlot at 59% of the total, but there is a gradual move towards more Cabernet. It has beautifully open and expressive aromatics, with crushed white gravel and white freesia dusted over fresh blackcurrants and violets. The palate is generous, fresh, open and lively as per the nose, with a supple and nicely filled-out midpalate, surrounded by toast, black bean, coffee and black olive. This feels harmonious, sinewy and fresh, with a little backbone of ripe tannins, leading into a dark, vivacious and tannin-rich finish. This is very convincing for Lilian-Ladouys, one of the best I have tasted in recent years. The élevage here was in 40% new oak, including 20% 400-litre barrels, for 15 months. The alcohol is 13.5% on the label, and 13.44% in the wine. (Dec 2022)"