Now under the same ownership as the revived Château Pedesclaux in Pauillac, this property is hitting its true potential. This latest release is textured while also having great fruits, rich tannins and considerable aging ability. This wine should be drunk from 2023.

Another terrific wine from this estate, the 2017 Chateau Lilian Ladouys comes from gravelly soils in Saint-Estephe and is 50% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot aged in 40% new oak. It's also worth pointing out that this cuvee sees malolactic fermentation in barrel as well as plenty of time on lees, which I think normally gives the wine plenty of early appeal. Beautiful notes of cassis, tobacco, leafy herbs, and damp earth all flow to a medium-bodied 2017 that shows the more elegant, straight style of the vintage. It has some firm tannins, so give bottles a handful of years.

The medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Lilian Ladouys has a fragrant herbal waft on the nose with a core of baked red and black currants, Morello cherries, tilled earth and cedar chest. The palate is medium-bodied, delicately played and pleasantly chewy with plenty of freshness and lovely purity on the finish. The wine was aged for 15 months in French oak, 40% new. The blend is 50% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot. Eighty percent of the production went into this grand vin.

The 2017 Lilian Ladouys has come together well in élevage, although it remains a bit rustic and rough around the edges. Wild cherry, tobacco, cedar, menthol, licorice and earthy notes add an impression of rusticity. Made with 55% Merlot, the 2017 is light, savory and nuanced, but also a bit compact in feel. Nevertheless, it offers terrific freshness and energy, with pretty sweet wild flowers, sweet red cherry, and licorice that develop nicely in the glass.

Forward and open-knit, featuring a mix of damson plum and rhubarb flavors, mixed with light savory and chalk hints. Fresh acidity carries the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2024. 20,833 cases made.