2015 Lilian Ladouys

The 2015 Lilian Ladouys comes across as a bit light. There is good purity to the fruit and aromatics, but less depth than I had expected or hoped to see at the end of aging. Drink this fragrant, light-bodied Saint Estèphe over the next few years. The blend is 56% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot.

The 2015 Lilian Ladouys is a blend of 62% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc aged in 30% new, 30% one-year-old and 40% two-year-old oak barrels for 15 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it has an earthy/meaty nose with damp soil and dried herbs notes over a core of stewed red plums and cherry cordial. The medium-bodied palate is fine and fresh but just a little lean and short.

A blend of 62% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Château Lilian Ladouys is a serious Saint-Estèphe that shines in a vintage which was more difficult for the northern portions of the Médoc. Possessing medium-bodied notes of currants, dried herbs, spice and hints of background oak, it’s nicely balanced on the palate, has fine, ripe tannin, moderate density, and an undeniable charm that will keep it drinking nicely for 15 years or more. Château Lillian Ladouys is a 45.7-hectare estate planted to 8,500 vines per hectare, with an average vine age of 35 years. Fermentations occur in stainless steel and last for 4-6 weeks, and aging is in 30% new, 30% once used and the balance second fill barrels. There are roughly 25,000 cases of this beauty so it should be easy to find, and it’s worth it.