2017, Château Lilian Ladouys, SAINT-ESTÈPHE, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

Bordeaux blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot.

The 2017 Lilian Ladouys has come together well in élevage, although it remains a bit rustic and rough around the edges. Wild cherry, tobacco, cedar, menthol, liquorice and earthy notes add an impression of rusticity. Made with 55% Merlot, the 2017 is light, savoury and nuanced, but also a bit compact in feel. Nevertheless, it offers terrific freshness and energy, with pretty sweet wild flowers, sweet red cherry, and liquorice that develop nicely in the glass. 88 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2019)

The 2017 Lilian Ladouys is matured in 40% new oak from five cooperages. The bouquet is quite intense with brambly red berry fruit, touches of mint and undergrowth, melted tar emerging with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, and a fine bead of acidity. A "correct" and quite precise Saint-Estèphe that appears to have improved in bottle. Recommended. 91 Neal Martin, Vinous (2019)

The medium to deep garnet-purple coloured 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. 90 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (2020)

Drinking Window: 2022 - 2038