2024 Ch Lilian Ladouys, St-Estephe

DUE OCT/NOV 2027

A blend of 66% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Lilian Ladouys evokes aromas of dark berries and cassis. It is followed by a moderately weighted, supple and lively palate, yet it lacks the broad shoulders and depth found in stronger vintages.

85-87 points robertparker.com

Sweet oak, skilful construction, and the acidity is high but not aggressive. Raspberry leaf, brambled blackberry, cloves, smoked earth. Lorenzetti owner. First year certified organic. 30% new oak, Eric Boissenot, 34hl/h yield.

88 points janeanson.com

2024 Château Lilian Ladouys is one of the sleepers of the vintage in Saint-Estèphe — a wine that quietly overdelivers thanks to the ongoing investment and precision work happening behind the scenes. It doesn’t try to be flashy, but what you get is clean, classic, structured Bordeaux that feels more polished and complete with every passing year.

The estate has seen significant upgrades under the Lorenzetti family, who also own Pedesclaux and Lafon-Rochet. Winemaker Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen is pushing toward finesse and freshness without losing the Saint-Estèphe backbone. In 2024, the conditions favoured their gravel-clay soils, helping the Merlot retain vibrancy and the Cabernet Sauvignon ripen slowly and evenly.

The blend this year is roughly 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It opens with aromas of blackberry, plum, cedar, violet and crushed rock. There’s a slight herbal lift, typical of the appellation, but it’s integrated and fresh. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, grainy tannins and a core of dark fruit, tobacco and mineral tension. It’s not a blockbuster, but it’s very well proportioned, with no excess fat and a clean, driven finish.

This is a great wine for people who want Left Bank structure and authenticity without spending up on classified growths. It’s also one of the most approachable wines from Saint-Estèphe in this vintage.

Food pairing: lamb chops with rosemary, steak frites, lentil and pancetta stew, or aged Tomme de Savoie

Cellar potential: 2028 to 2040. Best over 10–15 years while the fruit is still in play, though it has the structure to last longer