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2020 CHÂTEAU LILIAN LADOUYS Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel Saint Estèphe, Lea & Sandeman

CHÂTEAU LILIAN LADOUYS

2021 Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel Saint Estèphe

IN STOCK
Grapes Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Saint Estèphe
Classification Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
ABV 13%

This super value Saint Estephe is fast becoming a real favourite of ours. The 2021 continues the good run they have had recently under the stewardship of Pedesclaux's unassuming wizard Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen. While tasting he told us that despite everything the Cabernets here were sensational this year and you certainly feel that. Not as imposing as in recent vintages but with real class and poise thanks to the gentle handling of the juice during fermentation and an élevage safely within the parameters of what the vintage needs and can cope with. Fine dark berry fruit has a mineral tang that keeps it super fresh, thanks to the cool year and the limestone subsoil at the estate. Really well done - this will be a joy to find in your cellar in 5-12 years time. L&S (Apr 2022)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

This shows aromas of light plums and redcurrants with white pepper and cloves. Medium body, firm and fine tannins with a racy and fresh finish. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 6% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc. Pleasant now but has aging potential. Drink or hold. Rating: 92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Jul 2024)

Great aromatics, welcoming and smoky, fresh acidities that are wrapped in berry fruit, with oyster shell salted cracker salinity. A good medium term drinker. Organic conversion began in 2020, with 100% in organic for the first time in 2021, with expected certification in 2024. Lorenzetti family owners, Eric Boissenot consultant. Drinking range: 2024 - 2034 Rating: 90 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2024)

The 2021 Lilian Ladouys turned out well. Medium in body, with pretty, forward fruit, the 2021 is very nicely balanced. Succulent dark plum, spice, new leather, menthol and dried herbs build into the silky finish. Drinking range: 2024 - 2031 Rating: 91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Feb 2024)

Château Lilian Ladouys

This lovely Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in Saint Estèphe enjoys an enviable location on the Cos plateau, near to Calon, Montrose and Cos d'Estournel itself. The 80 hectare vineyard is 80% on gravel with a clay-limestone base, 20% on limestone-clay and is planted at 8500-10000 vines per hectare, with 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc.

The history of the estate can be traced back as far as 1654, when the property was in the ownership of Jacques de Bercoyan, a Bordeaux magistrate. By this time it was already known as La Doys, an obvious precursor to the Ladouys name of today.

The exciting modern history of the property began in 2008 when it was bought by Jacky Lorenzetti, and the family's investment was rewarded with the Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel classification in 2018. Since the purchase there has been many more deals to consolidate a coherent vineyard from the many parcels.

Lilian Ladouys is managed by Emmanuel Cruse, the consultant oenologist is Eric Boissenot. The work in the vineyard aims to make sure there is an even spread of bunches on the vines, and that these are well-ventilated (leaf-thinning). The earth is ploughed, with either sowing of ground-cover between the vines, or leaving nature to its own devices, depending on the vigour of each parcel. The grapes are harvested by hand, with sorting as bunches and again by grape after the de-stemming, after which the they go into the vats by gravity for a cold maceration prior to the fermentation. Extraction is managed by gentle délestage. The wine is aged in barrel, with 40% new wood each year.

The vineyard certified 'Haute Valeur Envionmentale' level 3. From 2020 they began conversion to organics with 20% of the vineyard, and all being well will complete conversion in 2023.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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