Château Lilian Ladouys
Saint Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Estèphe, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
WNH 2009/2010 Bordeaux tasting.
I was able to find a couple of these 2-3yrs ago locally at a great price, so I’ve opened one a year since then, and this was my last bottle.
My familiarity with this producer isn’t extensive, but this 2009 shows so much character from that warm, powerful vintage while also providing a bridge to those who enjoy new world Bordeaux blends. 60/40 cab/merlot. I followed this over two days. I decanted almost two hours the first day and had half a bottle, then vacuumed and had the second half the next day. Funny enough, this wine was more tannic the second day! The aromatics here sport a more modern, ripe profile of toasty oak and roasted fruits (blue and black fruits, plum, fig). Even the palate mirrors much of that with added bitter dark chocolate and only a kiss of herbal flair. Zero brett. A mix of mocha/espresso on the finish with structure that really flexed muscles on day two. My initial reaction was enjoy over the next five years, but this has ten in it easily.
As an aside, I tried this out of my new Grassl 1855 glass and loved it, even more so than Zalto’s Bordeaux glass. Weight and balance are impeccable.
WNH 2009/2010 Bordeaux tasting.
I was able to find a couple of these 2-3yrs ago locally at a great price, so I’ve opened one a year since then, and this was my last bottle.
My familiarity with this producer isn’t extensive, but this 2009 shows so much character from that warm, powerful vintage while also providing a bridge to those who enjoy new world Bordeaux blends. 60/40 cab/merlot. I followed this over two days. I decanted almost two hours the first day and had half a bottle, then vacuumed and had the second half the next day. Funny enough, this wine was more tannic the second day! The aromatics here sport a more modern, ripe profile of toasty oak and roasted fruits (blue and black fruits, plum, fig). Even the palate mirrors much of that with added bitter dark chocolate and only a kiss of herbal flair. Zero brett. A mix of mocha/espresso on the finish with structure that really flexed muscles on day two. My initial reaction was enjoy over the next five years, but this has ten in it easily.
As an aside, I tried this out of my new Grassl 1855 glass and loved it, even more so than Zalto’s Bordeaux glass. Weight and balance are impeccable.
Tried a few timed. Aged well. The vines of Lilian-Ladouys are found a stone's throw from the Graves of Cos d'Estournel and the Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. Deep Ruby, with inky tones. Aromas of black and blue fruit, smoky notes and soft spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum with toasty oak flavors, full body with fine round tannins, long finish ending with earthy mineral character.
Tried a few timed. Aged well. The vines of Lilian-Ladouys are found a stone's throw from the Graves of Cos d'Estournel and the Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. Deep Ruby, with inky tones. Aromas of black and blue fruit, smoky notes and soft spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum with toasty oak flavors, full body with fine round tannins, long finish ending with earthy mineral character.
Feb 22nd, 2021
A bit modern, but still way too young and only started to show well with a few hours of air.
A bit modern, but still way too young and only started to show well with a few hours of air.
Feb 18th, 2019
Finally got a photo of the correct entree. So, I am reposting.
Hedy’s main course was one of her very best. Charred Onion Crusted Beef Bavette, Carrot Puree. Onion Confit, Potato. Exceptional!!!
The 09 vintage is clearly one of the best in my lifetime. It’s so beautiful and elegant even this young. I have six of these plus a 3 liter so it was good to be able to peek into its development. I double decanted it and poured back in the bottle and re-corked it around 3p. Served it around 8:30p.
It had evolved nicely for the steak. It was full bodied, lush, smooth and elegant. Dark currants, mocha, fresh cigar, soft leather, dry clay, round acidity and a beautiful finish. Paired nice with Hedy’s entree.
The 09 Lilian Ladouys was one of the top sleeper wines of the vintage.
Hedy @Plate&Bottle on Facebook.
Finally got a photo of the correct entree. So, I am reposting.
Hedy’s main course was one of her very best. Charred Onion Crusted Beef Bavette, Carrot Puree. Onion Confit, Potato. Exceptional!!!
The 09 vintage is clearly one of the best in my lifetime. It’s so beautiful and elegant even this young. I have six of these plus a 3 liter so it was good to be able to peek into its development. I double decanted it and poured back in the bottle and re-corked it around 3p. Served it around 8:30p.
It had evolved nicely for the steak. It was full bodied, lush, smooth and elegant. Dark currants, mocha, fresh cigar, soft leather, dry clay, round acidity and a beautiful finish. Paired nice with Hedy’s entree.
The 09 Lilian Ladouys was one of the top sleeper wines of the vintage.
Hedy @Plate&Bottle on Facebook.
Hedy’s main course was one of her very best. Charred Onion Crusted Beef Bavette, Carrot Puree. Onion Confit, Potato. I forgot to take a picture so I am using an older similar entree from one of her previous dinners.
The 09 vintage is clearly one of the best in my lifetime. It’s so beautiful and elegant even this young. I have six of these plus a 3 liter so it was good to be able to peek into its development. I double decanted it and poured back in the bottle and re-corked it around 3p. Served it around 8:30p.
It had evolved nicely for the steak. It was full bodied, lush, smooth and elegant. Dark currants, mocha, fresh cigar, soft leather, dry clay, round acidity and a beautiful finish. Paired nice with Hedy’s entree.
The 09 Lilian Ladouys was one of the top sleeper wines of the vintage.
Hedy @Plate&Bottle on Facebook.
Hedy’s main course was one of her very best. Charred Onion Crusted Beef Bavette, Carrot Puree. Onion Confit, Potato. I forgot to take a picture so I am using an older similar entree from one of her previous dinners.
The 09 vintage is clearly one of the best in my lifetime. It’s so beautiful and elegant even this young. I have six of these plus a 3 liter so it was good to be able to peek into its development. I double decanted it and poured back in the bottle and re-corked it around 3p. Served it around 8:30p.
It had evolved nicely for the steak. It was full bodied, lush, smooth and elegant. Dark currants, mocha, fresh cigar, soft leather, dry clay, round acidity and a beautiful finish. Paired nice with Hedy’s entree.
The 09 Lilian Ladouys was one of the top sleeper wines of the vintage.
Hedy @Plate&Bottle on Facebook.
Celebrating Bastille Day with the spring dinner of the Confrerie St Etienne of Alsace association. Wonderful menu and perfectly paired wines.
Red wine of the night. Obviously a fantastic year. Incredibly fruit forward still. More new world like on the nose and front palate but shows its Bordeaux pedigree on the finish. Dark plum, cassis, currant, herbal black tea and blackberries. Tar and leather show on the finish. This is a happy intro to Bordeaux for those looking to take a small leave from typical Napa Cab. I imagine this will peak on 3-5 yrs.
Celebrating Bastille Day with the spring dinner of the Confrerie St Etienne of Alsace association. Wonderful menu and perfectly paired wines.
Red wine of the night. Obviously a fantastic year. Incredibly fruit forward still. More new world like on the nose and front palate but shows its Bordeaux pedigree on the finish. Dark plum, cassis, currant, herbal black tea and blackberries. Tar and leather show on the finish. This is a happy intro to Bordeaux for those looking to take a small leave from typical Napa Cab. I imagine this will peak on 3-5 yrs.
Bordeaux 2009.....can't have enough of it...
Bordeaux 2009.....can't have enough of it...
5 people found it helpfulMay 3rd, 2014
A glistening deep purple in hue. Plum and earth on the nose. Plush fruit with well integrated wood and spice. cool and deep. velvet in texture. Finishes with gripping tannins.
A glistening deep purple in hue. Plum and earth on the nose. Plush fruit with well integrated wood and spice. cool and deep. velvet in texture. Finishes with gripping tannins.
2 people found it helpfulMar 24th, 20132019 vintage. After the excellent Cabernet Sauvignon dominated 2018, this 2019 is predominantly Merlot (59%), with 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Less colour compared to fellow Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel Château Lestage (Listrac) tasted alongside, indicating more gentle extractions. Delightfully floral nose with bright red fruit and very discrete oak. Medium-bodied, fresh and energetic, with a serious tannic backbone, but smooth and elegant with very good mineral length. The Lorenzetti family is doing a great job here, and they just bought neighbouring Grand Cru Classé Lafon-Rochet, an exciting extension of their portfolio that already includes Pédesclaux (Pauillac) and co-owned Issan (Margaux). Terrific value too.
2019 vintage. After the excellent Cabernet Sauvignon dominated 2018, this 2019 is predominantly Merlot (59%), with 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Less colour compared to fellow Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel Château Lestage (Listrac) tasted alongside, indicating more gentle extractions. Delightfully floral nose with bright red fruit and very discrete oak. Medium-bodied, fresh and energetic, with a serious tannic backbone, but smooth and elegant with very good mineral length. The Lorenzetti family is doing a great job here, and they just bought neighbouring Grand Cru Classé Lafon-Rochet, an exciting extension of their portfolio that already includes Pédesclaux (Pauillac) and co-owned Issan (Margaux). Terrific value too.
1 person found it helpfulOct 2nd, 2021Deliciously powerful, strapping tannins, still primary ripe dark berries & cassis, spice. Has the structure to continue to evolve and improve over next 10 years. Well integrated oak and 14% ABV. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. Maturation 50% new oak, 16 months.
Deliciously powerful, strapping tannins, still primary ripe dark berries & cassis, spice. Has the structure to continue to evolve and improve over next 10 years. Well integrated oak and 14% ABV. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. Maturation 50% new oak, 16 months.
1 person found it helpfulDec 31st, 2018