A classic Saint Estephe wine that didn't always perform, but since their purchase of the estate in 2008, the Lorenzetti family have invested heavily in their vineyard - they have restructured the cellars and vineyards, purchased some adjoining parcels from Châteaux Clauzet and Tour de Pez and are now converting to Organic farming. All the while the wines have kept improving, resulting in attaining Cru Bourgeois Exceptionelle status - the highest quality mark available!
But what of the 2017 vintage? It wasn't an easy year what with a dry winter, a warm spring and a hot June but it was not affected by the frost in April (nice and close to the Gironde). With 35 year old vines to work with, they did a great job!
The 2017 has a deep ruby-red color with some purple hues at the rim and is clear and bright. The initial nose is a fantastic medley of black fruits, herbal notes, hints of tobacco, and cedar.
On the palate, it is medium to full bodied with blackcurrant, violets and black cherry flavours with well-integrated tannins. It is a full fresh rich mouthful of surprising quality. It's long fruit filled finish, with it's lovely balanced acidity, is impressive.
Tasted again at beginning of December and was really good! A Banker that will disappoint no-one!
90 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Lilian Ladouys has a fragrant herbal waft on the nose with a core of baked red and black currants, Morello cherries, tilled earth and cedar chest. The palate is medium-bodied, delicately played and pleasantly chewy with plenty of freshness and lovely purity on the finish. The wine was aged for 15 months in French oak, 40% new. The blend is 50% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot. Eighty percent of the production went into this grand vin.
Chateau Lilian Ladouys 2017 is packed in 6 btl Wooden cases
Our Tasting Twist option is available but please note that this wine comes in a 6-pack Wooden Box so has to be opened to insert the Tasting Twist bottle
Alc. Vol.13%
Last Tasted: December 2023