2013 Lilian Ladouys
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Tasting notes
55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Lovely warm spices on the nose. Bit of cigar. Ripe rounded fruit, even almost plump! Hint of raspberry. But very briary prickly tannins – quite a thicket of them – which overwhelm the fruit for now. Sandalwood perfume. There's something here which is quite appealing and that core of fruit might just pull through. (TC)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Finally showing signs of a renaissance in quality, this large 110-acre estate in St.-Estephe has turned out a reasonably good effort in 2013 that should be realistically priced as well. Normally this is a blend of at least 50% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon with a tiny portion of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Not a lot of new oak is used, so the wine tends to show lots of earth, spice box, cedar wood, tobacco leaf and red and black currants. The 2013 does that in a somewhat superficial, but pleasant and attractive style. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.
Earthy, juicy and savoury – a good, honest combination. Pretty fierce tannins – presents the 2013 conundrum of whether the lightish body and concentration will age sufficiently to match. I wouldn’t bet on it. (RH)
The 2013 Lilian Ladouys shows good depth and plenty of potential. Violets, red stone fruits, wild flowers and cinnamon all lift from the glass in a wine that offers tons of personality and polish in its peer group. This should be a solid value from St. Estèphe. I very much like the sense of energy here. Tasted twice.