Overall professional consensus
Château Lilian Ladouys 2023 is one of the stronger value wines of Saint-Estèphe, delivering a classic Left Bank profile with impressive freshness, Cabernet-driven structure, and accessibility. Critics praise its purity, precision, and increasing consistency over recent vintages.
Professional ratings (major critics)
- Wine Enthusiast: 94/100
- James Suckling: 93/100
- Decanter: 93/100
- Wine Advocate (William Kelley): 91–93/100
- Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 91–93/100
- Wine Spectator: 90/100
Consensus range: ~92–93 points, with highs to 94
Tasting profile (critic synthesis)
Aromas
- Blackcurrant, blackberry, mulberry
- Violet, lilac, lavender
- Graphite, licorice, tobacco leaf
Palate
- Medium to full-bodied
- Cabernet Sauvignon-led (57% of the blend)
- Juicy dark fruit with fine-grained tannins
- Fresh acidity and notable mineral character
- Savory, structured finish with classic Saint-Estèphe grip
Style notes
- More Cabernet-focused than recent vintages
- Emphasizes freshness and precision over power
- Modern winemaking with restrained oak influence
- Approachable young but capable of medium-term aging
Drinking window
- Best: 2028–2038
- Early enjoyment possible, but a few years of cellaring will improve integration and complexity.
Bottom line
Château Lilian Ladouys 2023 is:
- A standout value from Saint-Estèphe
- Typically 92–93 points
- Cabernet-driven, fresh, mineral, and classically styled
- An excellent choice for drinkers seeking authentic Left Bank character without classified-growth pricing.
92-94pts 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.
93pts Jane Anson
Juicy black fruits, concentrated without being overdone, well judged in its balance and drinkability, with plenty of firm St Estèphe tannic architecture and a liqourice root signoff. 400l barrels for ageing, 30% new oak. Previously a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, but they have now stepped back from the ranking. Last year of organic conversion, to be certified in 2024, with an impressive 50hl/h yield. Give it three or four years after bottling to fully soften.
93pts 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.
91-93pts Vinous
The 2023 Lilian Ladouys is gorgeous. Bright, fruity and vibrant, the 2023 impresses with the purity of its fruit. A burst of dark red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, spice, mint and rose petal gives the 2023 a wonderful sense of sheer appeal. Over the last few years, Lilian Ladouys has been on the rise. Aging 20% of the wine in 400-liter barrels is an approach that works so well here.
- Antonio Galloni
91-93pts 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.
90-92pts The Wine Independent
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.
88-90pts Vinous
The 2023 Lilian Ladouys has a backward bouquet with blackberry, bilberry and a light estuarine scent, touches of violet emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a creamy-textured opening, fine acidity and a sweet core of fruit that needs a little more amplitude on the finish. It's maybe a bit on the conservative side, but it should give a decade's drinking pleasure.
- Neal Martin
Winemaker's Notes
2023 is a typical 'Saint-Estephe' vintage in which Lilian Ladouys’ hallmark identity truly shines. The crunchy, juicy Merlots are backed by deep, dense Cabernets, revealing a complete, delicious fresh wine of superb length. Aging will further enhance its charm and exquisite generosity.
Blend: 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
History
At the edge of Pauillac... On the soil of Saint-Estephe, the vines of Lilian-Ladouys are to be found where the roads meet, a stone's throw from the Graves of Cos d'Estournel and the Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. With its elegant Directory Charterhouse, the Lilian-Ladouys Chateau expresses a generous idea of Medoc's durability, a close union between the crop the wine itself.
