Home / Jacky Lorenzetti / Château Lilian Ladouys 2020
Château Lilian Ladouys 2020
- Volume
- 750ml
- Vintage
- 2020
- ABV
- 13.5%
£43.00
Member Price: £34.40
CHÂTEAU LILIAN LADOUYS · 2020 · SAINT-ESTÈPHE · CRU BOURGEOIS EXCEPTIONNEL · 95 WINE ENTHUSIAST POINTS
A serious Saint-Estèphe from the Lorenzetti family-owned Château Lilian Ladouys, whose vineyards sit on the classic gravel and clay-limestone soils of the Médoc. The 2020 vintage is rich, concentrated and beautifully balanced, with layers of blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry complemented by liquorice, cocoa, spice and subtle earthy complexity. Merlot leads the blend, giving the wine generosity and silkiness, while Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure, freshness and length. Matured in French oak for 15 months, including around 35–40% new oak, it combines the power and structure expected from Saint-Estèphe with impressive polish and finesse. A standout Saint-Estèphe with exceptional depth, silky tannins and an outstanding 95 Wine Enthusiast points.
A beautifully structured Saint-Estèphe with rich dark fruit, silky tannins and impressive depth — drinking beautifully now, with plenty of life ahead.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance
- Deep garnet-purple with an intense, almost opaque core.
- Nose
- Expressive blackberry, blackcurrant and dark cherry, with liquorice, cedar, spice, cocoa, damp earth and subtle floral notes.
- Palate
- Medium- to full-bodied, concentrated and silky, with generous dark fruit supported by fresh acidity and polished, fine-grained tannins. Layers of blackberry and cherry develop into liquorice, cocoa, spice and earthy complexity.
- Finish
- Long and persistent, with dark fruit, cocoa, spice and firm but beautifully polished tannins.
Perfect For
- Suggested Dishes
- Ribeye steak, roast beef, lamb, venison, duck, beef Wellington, wild boar, mushroom dishes, hearty stews and mature cheeses.
- Suggested Occasions
- Fine dining, dinner parties, Sunday lunch, special celebrations and evenings when you want a serious Bordeaux.
- Suggested Sporting Occasions
- Six Nations, Rugby World Cup, England internationals, golf days, The Open, Test cricket and post-match dinners.
Details
- Style
- Structured, Full-Bodied Saint-Estèphe Bordeaux Red
- Country
- France
- Region
- Bordeaux — Médoc
- Appellation
- Saint-Estèphe AOC
- Producer
- Château Lilian Ladouys
- Vineyard
- Château Lilian Ladouys, Saint-Estèphe
- Grape Variety
- 59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc.
- Closure
- Cork
- Drinking Window
- 2027–2040. The wine is beginning to open, but its structure and tannins mean it has considerable development ahead.
- Serving Temp
- 16–18°C
- Decanting Advice
- Decant for 1–2 hours, particularly while young, to allow the dark fruit and savoury complexity to emerge and the tannins to soften.
- Cellaring Potential
- 10–15 years, with the potential to develop further complexity with good storage. Jeb Dunnuck and other critics anticipate a long evolution for this vintage.
- Oak/Cask Ageing
- Approximately 15 months in French oak, with around 35–40% new oak depending on the source.
Awards & Medals
95 Wine Enthusiast; 93 Decanter; 93 Jeff Leve; 93 Jane Anson; 92 James Suckling; 92 Jeb Dunnuck; 91 Robert Parker Wine Advocate.
“This is proper Saint-Estèphe. Rich, dark and beautifully structured, but with a lovely silky texture that makes it surprisingly approachable. There is so much going on — blackberry, cassis, spice, cocoa and that wonderful savoury edge. A fantastic bottle with a good steak.” - Sarah M
95 Wine Enthusiast — highlighting the combination of powerful tannins and generous black fruit, with the structure to develop over the long term. 93 Decanter describes ripe fruit leading to a smooth, silky palate and a finish marked by generous fruit. 92 James Suckling praises its racy structure, polished tannins, juicy fruit and excellent length.