Château Lilian Ladouys 2022

Smoky, with rye bread, dark fruit and gingerbread; a taut palate, noticeable tannins, chalky minerality, with delicate fruit behind; shows character and good length, finishing bitter.

Fragrant and expressive on the nose with cassis, violets, cola, spiced blueberries and graphite. Massy and filling, the tannins have grip with both a fleshy texture and cool freshness which gives a push-pull of ripe, opulent fruit, soft creaminess, and quite marked minerality in the coffee, liquorice and bitter dark chocolate spicing. Feels well constructed with precision but the power is still very much at the fore and this is focused on strength and muscle rather than easy enjoyment right now. One to wait for.

Tasted blind. Some richness and vitality here – in fact I’m almost tempted to drink it! GV (JR)

The 2022 Lilian Ladouys has an open and attractive bouquet: blackberry, crushed stone and touches of wilted violet. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with very pliant tannins, although there is some toasty oak that gets in the way towards the finish. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

Smoke, tobacco leaves, flowers, dark red fruits, cedar, and chocolate create the nose. On the palate, the pit fruits are vibrant, round, lush, and sweet, with a spicy edge and a hint of chocolate-mint that shows on the finish. The wine blends 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2026–2040.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the edge. Delicately floral, black forest berries, fresh cherries and cassis, a touch of orange zest. Medium complexity, red cherries, freshly structured, mineral and citrus in the finish, already very approachable.

Ripe black cherries, new leather, spring flowers, and graphite nuances all emerge from the 2022 Château Lilian Ladouys, a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated Saint-Estèphe that has ripe tannins, nicely integrated background oak, and a layered, balanced profile that will evolve gracefully going forward. It’s always a good value, as well as a worthy addition to any cellar, and the 2022 is no exception.

Great aromatics here, a touch of austerity to the architecture but the tannins soften through the palate to show a creamy, silky texture; plenty of grip, spiced blackberry, fennel and cherry pit, fresh lift on the finish. This is one to look out for, with an unusually high amount of Petit Verdot in the blend after losing 30% of the crop through hail and frost in northern St Estèphe. 33% new oak, 400L barrels for 20% of the wine, clay-gravel soils over limestone, Jacky Lorenzetti owner.

A deep, clear, toasty nose that invites tasting. Beautiful harmony on the palate, with crunchy fruit and a enveloping texture. Bravo!

Such finesse, concentration, and depth in Lilian Ladouys’ bouquet. Beyond notes of black berries, it reveals nuances of graphite, mint, and roast. On the palate, the wine stands out for its ability to channel its power with precision and relevance, thanks to compact, fine-grained tannins that go hand in hand with the energy and freshness provided by a structuring acidity that even brings salinity on the finish. A accomplished and convincing Lilian Ladouys. What a great success!

The nose is vibrant, juicy, airy, and deep at the same time. It first delivers aromas of dark fruit (morello cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry, a hint of black plum), joined by touches of bigarreau cherry and raspberry. There is also a perfumed, airy floral bouquet (violet, a touch of rose), integrated notes of sweet spices (licorice, cumin, white pepper in the background), a distinct yet refined and enveloping toasty hint (toasted hazelnut, a hint of chocolate), as well as a refreshing, subtle minty edge. The palate is well-built, slender, and elegant, expressing flavors of morello cherry, blackcurrant, black plum, bigarreau cherry, along with a pleasant bitterness of almond, coffee, and an elegant touch of spices (licorice, cumin). A floral bouquet also lingers (violet, background lilac, dried rose). The finish is discreetly tight, tannic yet tangy, supple and firm at once, with indulgent notes of chocolate. Elegant, with good potential.

Logo on the cork: DF Dark, intense colour. Very aromatic nose, with ripe fruit. Nuances that are both fresh and mellow. Smooth on the attack, smooth through the mid-palate, the wine develops a juicy, full-bodied profile, with lift between the mid-palate and the finish. Tannins are perfectly integrated, backed by plenty of flavour. It’s very good.

Rarer in 2022 due to frost damage, this Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel highlights Merlot (52%) and includes 8% Petit Verdot. Combining roundness and precision, it delivers aromas of licorice and spices, with a generous, enveloping texture, fine-grained tannins, and a bright, peppery finish.

Dark chocolate and blackberry fruit aromas and a palate of powerful tannins come together in ripe black fruits. They are balanced with the wood aging and touches of spice and toast. This young wine has a great future. Drink from 2028.