Wine Review: Chateau Lilian Ladouys Saint Estephe 2019

Wine-Searcher's Master of Wine, David Allen, tastes a half bottle of Chateau Lilian Ladouys 2019 from Saint Estephe - The wine is still young and is rather dominated by its structure but shows promise for the future.
Château Lilian Ladouys is an estate in Saint-Estèphe known under its current name since 1989. Its grand vin is a red blend based on Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and is classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel. The property makes a second wine called La Devise de Lilian Ladouys.
The estate's recorded history dates back to the middle of the 16th century when it was known by the name La Doys. From the 18th until the 20th century, it was owned and run by the Barre family, who built the château and raised the prominence of the wine, earning it Cru Bourgeois Supérieur status. Unfortunately, quality declined during the World Wars and pieces of the property and vineyards were sold off.
It was left in a state of disrepair until Christian and Lilian Thiébolt bought it in the 1980s, renovated the winemaking facilities, replanted the parcels of land and gave the estate its modern name. The estate is now owned by Jacky and François Lorenzetti, who also own Château Pédesclaux and are co-owners of Château d'Issan.
The vineyard covers roughly 80 hectares (200 acres) on the Cos plateau. Soils are mainly gravel topsoil over clay and limestone; in about 20 percent of the area the gravel is currently in conversion to certified organic status. It is planted as follows: 50 percent Merlot, 45 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 percent Petit Verdot and one percent Cabernet Franc. Precise proportions in the finished wine vary from year to year.
The winery vats are fed by gravity for gentler handling of the grapes. A cold maceration precedes the alcoholic fermentation. The top wine is matured for an average of 14-15 months in barrels, with 40 to 60 percent new wood.
To find out more about this wine, its pricing and where to buy it go to the Wine-Searcher website www.wine-searc...
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