Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 92
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Lilian Ladouys comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of crushed black cherries, kirsch and warm cassis, plus hints of cinnamon stick, dusty soil and wild sage. The medium-bodied palate delivers mouth-filling black berry and earthy layers, supported by ripe, approachable tannins and a racy backbone, finishing on a lingering mineral note. A property to watcha in 2018, the Lorenzetti family purchased two neighbor estates, Chateau Clauzet and Chateau Tour de Pez, adding these to the Lilian Ladouys vineyard to almost double its planted area to 77 hectares. These additional vineyards are composed of gravelly soils of the same level as the best blocks of Lilian Ladouys. Soils are a typical Saint-Estephe mix of sandy gravel and clay with some limestone deposits. It is planted at 8,500-10,000 vines per hectare, with an average vine age of 37 years in 2020.
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2043
Vinous 91
The 2020 Lilian Ladouys is deep, fleshy and super-expressive. This midweight, gracious Saint-Estephe has so much to offer. Silky tannins and bright aromatics complement a core of bright red fruit in the 2020, a gorgeous wine that will drink well right out of the gate. As always, this Merlot-driven Saint-Estephe offers quite a bit of immediacy. This is the first vintage in the conversion to organic farming. Warm temperatures caused concentration on the vine, especially for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields at the property were 45 hectoliters per hectare as opposed to the normal 52 or so.
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2035