Rooted in Médoc tradition and shaped by the exacting terroirs of Saint-Estèphe, the Château Lilian Ladouys 2022 lives up to its status as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel with a deep, precise and modern expression. The mosaic of gravel, clay and limestone produces a wine of structure and vibrancy, where generosity never compromises elegance. A sunny, well-controlled vintage, 2022 reveals a red that is at once opulent and restrained, supported by a satin-like tannic frame and a refined freshness that prolongs the pleasure. For the informed enthusiast as well as the seeker of sensory emotion, this cuvée is a distinguished table companion, able to enhance gastronomic pairings and grace the cellar with panache.

Blend and winemaking

The 2022 draws its nobility from a classic Médoc assemblage, dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, completed by a touch of Petit Verdot, which brings spice and structure. The harvest, carefully sorted, undergoes measured extractions to preserve the brightness of the fruit and the finesse of the tannins. The ageing of about 15 months in barrels, including a judicious proportion of new oak, adds relief and texture without ever masking the identity of the terroir. The result is a sharply defined wine, both generous and balanced, whose correct framework and velvety flesh create a long-lined silhouette, remarkable for its poise and precision.

Tasting notes

• Colour : Deep garnet with violet highlights, clear and dense, announcing concentrated, fully ripe material.
• Nose : Aromas of plush black fruits, morello cherry and blueberry, floral nuances of violet and peony, toasted notes, reminiscences of cocoa and liquorice, and a hint of sweet spice evoking clove.
• Palate : Broad, caressing attack, juicy core, silky, precisely textured tannins, balance between restrained power and mouthwatering freshness. The finish, upright and extended, unfolds notes of candied fruit, cocoa nibs and sweet pepper, with a mineral tension that calls for food.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve Château Lilian Ladouys 2022 between 14 and 18°C in large glasses to release the full aromatic range. A 1-hour decant refines the texture and opens the spice and black fruit aromas. Store bottles on their side, away from light, at around 12°C with controlled humidity. This 2022, already very harmonious, has a cellaring potential of 7 to 10 years, allowing staggered tastings that will reveal, in turn, youthful generosity, a creamy texture and later, more nuanced tertiary complexity.

Food pairings

• Cold cuts and rustic starters : pâté en croûte, country terrine, artisan rillettes, sautéed cep mushrooms.
• Red meats and grills : dry-aged rib steak, seared hanger steak, duck breast, herb-roasted lamb.
• Hearty dishes : game birds, long-simmered civet, braised beef cheek, duck parmentier.
• Mature cheeses : Comté 24 months, Cantal entre-deux, mountain tomme, aged cheddar.
• Cocoa-accented matches : shards of high-cocoa dark chocolate, lightly sweetened praline truffle, offering a subtle echo to the bean and toasted notes.

Tasting occasions

Château Lilian Ladouys 2022 graciously accompanies moments that celebrate hospitality and the pleasure of taste :

• A gourmet dinner where terroir mastery meets fine cuisine.
• A shared Sunday meal around a roast joint and seasonal vegetables.
• A refined gift for an enthusiast, combining distinction and genuine tasting pleasure.

Details

• Name : Château Lilian Ladouys 2022
• Appellation : Saint-Estèphe AOP
• Classification : Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
• Type : Red wine
• Vintage : 2022
• Grape varieties : Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
• Terroirs : Médoc gravels, clays and limestones
• Aging : about 15 months in barrels including a proportion of new oak
• Cellaring : 7 to 10 years depending on storage conditions
• Serving temperature : 14–18°C