Chateau Lilian Ladouys St. Estephe, Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Lilian Ladouys, St. Estephe with wine tasting notes, and wine with food pairing tips. Learn about the best vintages, wine ratings, a history of the property, information on vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Lilian Ladouys History and Overview

What we know of as Chateau Lilian Ladouys today, began to gain fame in 1654 when it was known at that time under the name of La Doys. As you can guess, in time, La Doys morphed into Ladouys, which is how the estate earned its name. In those days, it was known as Chateau Ladouys.

During the 18th century, Chateau Ladouys was purchased by the Barre family. The Barre family remained in charge of Chateau Ladouys for more than 150 years. The Barre family was responsible for constructing the chateau that is still in use at the property today.

To ensure the family name remained intact at the property, they added their initials, AB, for (Auguste Barre) to a cornerstone on one of the twin towers. The other tower has stone etched with CL, for Chateau Ladouys.

By the early 1900s, due to neglect and a lack of funds, Chateau Ladouys slipped into a dilapidated state. The owners of Chateau Ladouys were forced to sell some of their Saint Estephe vineyards to help pay off debts they had incurred.

Chateau Lilian Ladouys the Modern Era

The fortune and condition of what was about to become Chateau Lilian Ladouys did not begin to be rectified until the new owners, Christian Thieblot and Lilian Thieblot begin to invest and modernize the estate. If you are wondering why you never see older vintages of Chateau Lilian Ladouys, the answer is simple.

It was under the stewardship of the Thieblot family, that the name of the property was changed in honor of Lilian Thieblot to Chateau Lilian Ladouys. This took place in 1989.

In 2007, the light, yellow-tinted chateau and vineyards of Lilian Ladouys were resold to Jacky Lorenzetti. Jacky Lorenzetti earned his fortune as the founder of Foncia, a massive French and European, real estate company. Lorenzetti also owns the rugby team, Racing Metro 92.

The Lorenzetti family continued adding to their portfolio in the Medoc with the purchase of Chateau Pedesclaux and a smaller estate, also located in Pauillac, Haut Milon. In February 2013, Jacky Lorenzetti added to their Bordeaux holdings with the purchase of 50% of Chateau dIssan in the Margaux appellation.

Chateau Lilian Ladouys Vineyard, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 80 hectare Left Bank Bordeaux vineyard of Lilian Ladouys is planted to 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. This represents two major changes in the vineyard that was previously dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Not only have the grape varieties changed, but since the Lorenzetti, due to purchases of vines all over the appellation, the estate has nearly doubled in size.

The Petit Verdot vines were also a new addition to the varietal makeup. The vines are old at close to 40 years of age. The oldest vines are 60 years of age. The vine density ranges from 8,000 vines per hectare to 10,000 vines per hectare. The terroir is typical of St. Estephe with its gravel, clay and limestone soils.

However, the vineyards of Chateau Lilian Ladouys are spread all over the appellation, providing a wide range of terroirs. They have vines to the south of the appellation not far from Chateau Cos d’Estournal. To the north, they own vines neighboring Chateau Calon Segur.

Due to exchanges with other Saint Estephe vineyards, and purchases of various parcels of vines, today, Lilian Ladouys now has less limestone and increased gravel and clay in their terroir. As the new vines, age and are better integrated into the vineyard, the wine will show more richness and depth. In 2023, the estate was certified as being 100% organic in its farming methods.

To produce the wine of Chateau Lilian Ladouys, vinification takes place in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. 48 vats in total are used. The vats range in size from 54 hectoliters to 172 hectoliters. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank, with the exception of 10% of the fruit, which goes through malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels.

The wine of Chateau Lilian Ladouys is aged on average in 40% new, French oak barrels for between 14 and 16 months.

The best vintages of Chateau Lilian Ladouys are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010 and 2009.

The annual production of Chateau is close to 20,000 cases of St. Estephe wine each year. There is a second wine, La Devise de Lilian. The property is consulted and managed by Emmanuel Cruse who owns and manages Chateau dIssan in the Margaux appellation.

When to Drink Chateau Lilian Ladouys, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Lilian Ladouys can be enjoyed somewhat early. However, the wine is often better with at least a few years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. Chateau Lilian Ladouys is usually best enjoyed in the first 10-20 years of life.

Young vintages can be decanted for 1-2 hours. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Serving Chateau Lilian Ladouys with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Lilian Ladouys is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Lilian Ladouys is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted braised, and grilled dishes. Lilian Ladouys is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

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