2022 Lilian Ladouys
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Tasting notes
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.
Critic scores
Average Score
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
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.
The 2022 Lilian Ladouys retains a somewhat understated bouquet with blackberry, damp loam and wild hedgerow scents that need quite a bit of coaxing from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with an herbal opening and grippy tannins, but a vegetal element, albeit minor, knocks it off course on the finish. This is quite rustic. It will be interesting to see how this will develop. Tasted three times.
Cru bourgeois exceptionnel. 52% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot, on clayey gravels over limestone subsoil. Aged 33% in new barrels including 20% aged in 400-litre barrels. Transparent crimson. Rather gamey and sweet – very distinctive! Are they trying ‘natural’ hands-off techniques? Sweeter and simpler than some. (JR)