Lilian Ladouys 2022 (750ML)

92-93 JS / 91-93+ JD / 90-92 VM / 89-91 WI / 88-90 WA

Blackberries, blueberries and dark chocolate with some spice. Medium body. Firm and bright. Polished tannins. Very spicy with nutmeg and cloves at the end. 52% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 8% petit verdot. - James Suckling

From a château that lost 40% of their production due to hail, the 2022 Château Lilian Ladouys checks in as 52% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Petit Verdot. A rich, medium to full-bodied, balanced Saint-Estèphe, it offers pure plum and darker cherry fruits, some chocolate and leafy herb nuances, ripe tannins, and a concentrated, textured mid-palate. It's beautifully done, and I suspect it will represent a great value as well. - Jeb Dunnuck

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. -- Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The 2022 Lilian Ladouys is a blend of 52% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Petit Verdot; with 33% being aged in new oak. The pH is 3.95 and the TPI is 75. There was some hail damage in June, so yields are lower than usual at 33 hl/ha. It has a deep garnet-purple color and bursts from the glass with bold notions of juicy black plums, black cherry preserves, and crushed redcurrants, leading to hints of menthol and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating black fruits, with a firm, grainy texture and seamless freshness, finishing with a minty lift. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

A Merlot-dominant blend, the 2022 Lilian Ladouys offers up rich aromas of dark berries, violets, charcoal and rose petals, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy palate framed by rich, youthfully firm tannins that assert themselves on the finish. Impacted by hail and with a very elevated pH of 3.95, this is something of a blunt instrument. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate