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Château Lilian Ladouys, St Estephe, FR, 2018

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Article code: WE 93 PTS

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$36.95

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Overview

2019 Château Lilian Ladouys (Saint-Estèphe): 90–93 pts from major critics (WE 93, JS 92, Vinous 91–92, JD 91). Rich blackberry, cassis, cedar, graphite and spice with polished tannins, freshness and strong aging potential. Best 2026–2038.

Details

Critic	Score	Highlights
Wine Enthusiast	93	Dense, structured, dark coffee, spice and blackberry fruit with rich tannins; recommends drinking from 2026.
James Suckling	92	Sweet currant, berries, floral notes, creamy tannins, walnut and chocolate nuances; "better after 2023."
Antonio Galloni (Vinous)	92	Juicy and forward with scorched earth, smoke, licorice and red cherry; called it "a real sleeper in 2019."
Neal Martin (Vinous)	91	Burly bouquet of red and black fruits, firm tannins, classic saline Saint-Estèphe finish with good aging potential.
Jeb Dunnuck	91	Elegant, medium-bodied, redcurrant, mulberry, cedar spice and herbs; expected to age 15+ years.
Jane Anson (Decanter)	93 (en primeur)	One of the estate's best vintages, silky texture, plush blackberry fruit, built for aging.
Georgina Hindle (Decanter, in-bottle review)	91	Ripe dark fruit, herbs and licorice, with tannins and acidity still needing further integration.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)	90 (bottled review)	Expressive blackberry, cassis, herbs, charcoal and espresso with energetic freshness and mineral finish.

Overall critical consensus

Average of major critics: approximately 91.6/100
Consistently praised for:
- Excellent value among Saint-Estèphe wines
- Ripe blackberry and cassis fruit
- Classic graphite, cedar, earth and spice
- Fine-grained but firm tannins
- Balance between richness and freshness
- Strong aging potential

Drink window

Most critics suggest the wine is entering a very enjoyable phase but will continue to improve:

Drink now: Yes, especially with 1–2 hours of decanting
Optimal window: 2026–2038
Peak maturity: Around 2028–2035

Value assessment

The 2019 vintage is widely regarded as one of the strongest modern releases from Château Lilian Ladouys. It routinely sells for a fraction of classified-growth Bordeaux while delivering quality in the low-90-point range, making it one of the better value buys from Saint-Estèphe. Community feedback from experienced wine drinkers also consistently describes it as a standout value in the appellation.