Château Lilian Ladouys

Established in the 18th century and family owned for generations, Chateau Lillian Ladouys was bought in recent years by a private investor who has invested heavily in both the vineyards and the winery. The modernisation has hugely benefitted the resulting wines and Lillian Ladouys is certainly one to watch – if the 2003 and 2005 vintages are anything to go by! Hearty, concentrated, and with fine tannin structure, the new wave of wines coming from this Chateau are fantastic examples of Saint-Estèphe claret.
The estate covers an area of 47 hectares spread in a slightly disparate fashion across the St Estèphe appellation, within sight of some prestigious neighbors such as Cos d’Estournel.

Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc (slight increase in Cabernet Sauvignon in recent years)

Average Age of the Vines: 40 years old

Soil: About 2/3 of the vineyard is situated on well drained soils rich in coarse gravel, with pebbles up to 8 cm across. The remaining vineyards are clay over a limestone bedrock.

Vinification: At harvest time, the fruit is sorted in the vineyard and on arrival at the chai, before fermentation by indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats, regulated to 31-33ºC.

Aging: The young wine goes into oak barrels, of which 1/3 are new with each vintage, where malolactic occurs. The wine will remain here 16-18 months before an egg-white fining, filtration, and bottling.

Overview: La Devise de Lilian has become a benchmark among second wines.  Its flavorful style and its well-integrated tannins have won the hearts of those who love softness and richness. La Devise does not use strict plot definition, but is instead a true second wine, a genuine signature blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot at the forefront.

Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Aging: La Devise is matured for an average of 12 months and is accessible in its youthful prime.

Tasting Notes: Fruity with a velvety structure, it pairs wonderfully with fresh cuisine such as white meat or fruity desserts.