Saint Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend

Drinking beautifully right now. Cedar, a hint of roasted peanuts, cassis, violets. Flavors going from secondary to tertiary, with leathery notes, roasted green herbs, and other savory notes. Tannins are still showing, but given the flavor development I wouldnt wait for them to soften further. Very good value!

Tasted 77 primeur 2021 samples this morning in the laboratory of famous consultant Eric Boissenot and this was my number one.

2016 vintage. Merlot (62%), Cabernet Sauvignon (32%), 6% Petit Verdot. Owned by the Lorenzetti family, with plots of vineyards all over the Saint-Estèphe appellation. Medium-bodied, fresh and mineral. Fine value.

WNH 2009/2010 Bordeaux tasting.

I was able to find a couple of these 2-3yrs ago locally at a great price, so I’ve opened one a year since then, and this was my last bottle.

My familiarity with this producer isn’t extensive, but this 2009 shows so much character from that warm, powerful vintage while also providing a bridge to those who enjoy new world Bordeaux blends. 60/40 cab/merlot. I followed this over two days. I decanted almost two hours the first day and had half a bottle, then vacuumed and had the second half the next day. Funny enough, this wine was more tannic the second day! The aromatics here sport a more modern, ripe profile of toasty oak and roasted fruits (blue and black fruits, plum, fig). Even the palate mirrors much of that with added bitter dark chocolate and only a kiss of herbal flair. Zero brett. A mix of mocha/espresso on the finish with structure that really flexed muscles on day two. My initial reaction was enjoy over the next five years, but this has ten in it easily.

As an aside, I tried this out of my new Grassl 1855 glass and loved it, even more so than Zalto’s Bordeaux glass. Weight and balance are impeccable.

Great vintage for LL, floral, with crushed berry and plum notes. Beautifully balanced extraction, intense and direct.

Rounding into form nicely. Secondary notes in evidence.

2018 vintage. This estate was bought by Jacky Lorenzetti in 2007 and the investments are paying off (see also the spectacular quality improvement at their Pauillac estate Pédesclaux). While previous vintages featured a majority of Merlot, this 2018 is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37%. Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. This might very well be the best vintage to date for Lilian Ladouys in a year where Jacky's daughter Manon joined the business. She is highly devoted to organic farming and the Lorenzetti estates are now officially in conversion to organic. Moreover, Lilian Ladouys was promoted to "Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel" status in 2020. An estate to watch and the wines are very affordable too at around 20 euros. Classic nose with ripe cassis and cedar wood, intertwined with a fresh minty aroma. In the mouth the fruit is concentrated and layered with amazing freshness and a solid ripe tannin structure that make the alcohol (abv. 14,5%) go unnoticed. Long mineral finish. Highly recommended. Still very young, give it time to open up or decant. Should age beautifully for at least 15 years.

Tried a few timed. Aged well. The vines of Lilian-Ladouys are found a stone's throw from the Graves of Cos d'Estournel and the Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. Deep Ruby, with inky tones. Aromas of black and blue fruit, smoky notes and soft spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum with toasty oak flavors, full body with fine round tannins, long finish ending with earthy mineral character.

Juicy, nicely concentrated / mint, purple flowers, Cassis, tobacco / loads of enjoyment here

Wow what an oddball, and an outlier, certainly for the region and especially the appellation. Clarity-wise, looks almost like Barolo, but with a dark purple hue. Medium-bodied, weight-wise drinks somewhere between Chinon and a Burg. I like it, it's just bizarre. Quite minty / floral / savory - very lilac, damp leaves, dried herbs. High-toned cherry on the mid-palate. Really, really minty. Delicate finish, wispy tannins, nice acidity. Well ok then...