2025, Château Lilian Ladouys, SAINT-ESTÈPHE, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel2025 is 61% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot. Owned by the Lorenzetti family who also own 50% of Ch. d'Issan in Margaux. The terroir is typical of St. Estephe with its gravel, clay and limestone soils. Glass staining purple colours, this is well rounded, lovely balance, firm tannins that take on more of a bite as things climb through the palate. Structured, enjoyable, cassis and sandalwood. 30% new oak, Eric Boissenot consultant.

deep and layered palate of uncommon depth and concentration that nevertheless retains all the estate's signature elegance

derived from holdings in Genavrières and Monts Luisants

A background hint of wood sets off aromas that include the essence of spiced pear

At first more in supe ripe cherries

spiralling with violet and peony flowers

There is a bit of new oak that needs to integrate

Aromas of raspberries

This is 375mls half-bottle format

) has a beautiful and very pure bouquet of violet-tinged black fruit

This is building slowly and steadily into a majestic wine

Maybe just a little conservative now

unusual for Grenache