Chateau Lilian Ladouys 2023

DECANTER: "Fragrant and scented on the nose, bright red fruits and some red floral notes with cool herbal markers too. Fresh and forward with crunchy and bright cranberries and creamy raspberries. A little lean and straight at this point but lots of mineral markers on the palate - wet stone, graphite, liquorice. Very saline, this ends clean and precise, balanced and all in one line. I like the easy approachability with some classicism and terroir touches. 1% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. 55hl/ha yield. Ageing 33% new oak. 3.81pH."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A crunchy wine with blackcurrant, blueberry and crushed-stone aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, creamy and polished. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "After four Merlot-dominant vintages, the 2023 Lilian Ladouys, with 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, reflects what will be the new norm for this estate as restructured parcels return to production. Offering up aromas of dark berries, lilac and licorice, it's medium-bodied, fleshy and suave, with a charming, supple profile and attractive purity and precision. Some 20% of the blend is maturing in larger 400-liter barrels."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Herbs, cherries, spice, tobacco, and red currants show in the nose, and on the medium-bodied, fresh, soft, brisk, spicy, chewy, red berry palate. The wine blends 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. 12.9% ABV, 3.81 pH. Drink from 2028-2042."

WEINWISSER: "57 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 37 % Merlot, 3 % Petit Verdot, 1 % Cabernet Franc. Duftig-florales Bouquet, frischer Schattenmorellensaft, Preiselbeermus und Flieder. Am saftigen Gaumen mit weicher Textur, nerviger Rasse, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und geradlinigem Körper. Im aromatischen präzisen Finale rote Beeren, erkalteter Hagebuttentee und feinsandige Adstringenz. Besser als vergangenes Jahr!"

FALSTAFF: „Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Frische rote Kirschen, floraler Touch, zart nach Brombeeren, ein Hauch von Orangenzesten. Saftig, feine Fruchtsüße, runde Tannine, frisch strukturiert, ein eleganter, animierender Speisenbegleiter."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Lilian Ladouys bursts with ready-to-go notes of baked black plums and juicy strawberries followed by hints of aniseed, black pepper, and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate has a sturdy structure of lightly chewy tannins and just enough freshness and berry flavors, finishing on a peppery note. The blend is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, aging in 33% new oak, with pH 3.81."

VINUM: "Offenherzig, mit Brombeere, Kirsche und Schwarzbrot im Duft; der Gaumen ist fleischig, zeigt Kraft, bleibt elegant, wohl dosierte Gerbstoffe, frisches Finale. Für die mittlere Reife gebaut."