2022, Château Lilian Ladouys, SAINT-ESTÈPHE, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot.

The 2022 Lilian Ladouys is a dense, powerful wine. In most vintages, Lilian Ladouys is a bit lighter, but in 2022 everything is amplified. A shift in parcels and the style of the year have resulted in a serious, punchy wine with real breadth. Savory and earthy notes add complexity. 90-92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous. 

Smells aromatic and expressive, dark black fruits and softly fragranced floral notes. Smooth and juicy, so clean and sleek, really such a succulent and lively explosion of fruit in the mouth. Crisp and super cool, lovely licks of graphite and crushed stones give the minerality straight away and really put you on limestone terroir. Bite and tang, with well-integrated tannins and cool blueberry, liquorice, salt, iodine and cola touches on the finish. Really accessible and drinkable, a gorgeous frame and energy to this. Tannins are just fleshy, but chalky too, giving a nice fullness while keep a balanced amount of tension so nothing feels too heavy or overworked. 3.95pH. Total acidity 3.1g/l. 33% new oak barrels. HVE certified. In organic conversion. Harvest: Merlot 13 September, Cabernets 19 September. 93/100 Georgina Hindle, Decanter. 

Drinking Window: 2025 - 2034