Tasting Notes
Vinous 92
This is the third time I have tasted the 2016 Lilian Ladouys in bottle. It retains a very intense blackberry and boysenberry bouquet laced with minerals, but displays a little more amplitude than it did in August. The tightly knit palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and still shows the graphite seam that I remarked upon previously. There is a little more persistence now, hence the slightly higher score. Good potential.
Anticipated maturity: 2023-2040
Robert Parker 91
The 2016 Lilian Ladouys is a blend of 62% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot aged in 30% new French oak for 15 months. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it sings of baked plums, creme de cassis and Black Forest cake with bay leaves, pencil lead and menthol. Medium-bodied, elegant and packed with vibrant flavor layers, it finishes long.
Anticipated maturity: 2019-2031
JancisRobinson.com 16
A bit of oak is evident on the nose and there’s something pretty stodgy about this – a terroir thing? Definitely earthbound. Grainy tannins dominate.
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2034