Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2020 Les Trois Croix has maintained a wonderful bouquet with bright blackberry and wild strawberry scents, hints of cedar and graphite emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, very well-judged acidity, taut and crisp with a slightly granular, graphite-tinged finish that gives it Pauillac-like allure. Superb.

Vinous - Neal Martin (88-90)

The 2021 Les Trois Croix is much more subdued compared to recent vintages that I have tasted at this stage. The palate is chewy on the entry, quite concentrated and muscular with a saline finish. It has power yet just misses the finesse of recent high-performing vintages.

Vinous - Neal Martin (88-90)

The 2021 Les Trois Croix is much more subdued compared to recent vintages that I have tasted at this stage. The palate is chewy on the entry, quite concentrated and muscular with a saline finish. It has power yet just misses the finesse of recent high-performing vintages.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (85-88)

Good dark red. Aromas of cassis, licorice and coffee, lifted by a graphite note. Fragrant and silky, with strong blackcurrant, herb and coffee notes. Substantial, late-arriving tannins give grip to the finish, but I still feel that this wine will provide enjoyable drinking in the near term and will not be for extended aging.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90-92)

The 2013 Lespault-Martillac is striking. Freshly cut flowers, violets, crushed rocks, plums and graphite all burst from the glass in a vibrant yet juicy wine loaded with class and personality. The 2013 is absolutely crystalline in its beauty. It is also easily one of the best wines of the vintage in its class. Readers who enjoy vibrant, mineral-driven reds will adore the Lespault-Martillac in this vintage. The 2013 is 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon.

James Suckling (92-93)

Rich and round with all the merlot giving a bounty of fruit and earth yet in a reserved way. Full-bodied, juicy and savory. Long finish.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2017 Lespault-Martillac is a gorgeous, understated wine, just as it was en primeur. Bright, floral and understated, the 2017 is impeccable from start to finish. Once again, the purity of the red-toned fruit is really compelling. The Lespault-Martillac is not obvious or overt wine, but instead it makes its case with a total sense of refinement. It is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2018 Lespault-Martillac is bright, punchy and full of character. I tasted the 2018 three times from barrel and never found it convincing. The bottled wine, on the other hand, is terrific. Inky red fruit, blood orange, spice, mint and rose petal all open with time. The 2018 is not super complex, but it is silky, well-balanced and very easy to enjoy. Best of all, readers can enjoy it with minimal cellaring.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2019 Lespault-Martillac is plump, juicy and quite seductive. Sweet red cherry, rose petal, mint, spice, licorice, anise and citrus. The supple, creamy finish makes this a very pretty wine. This bold, punchy Pessac-Léognan is very easy to like. Tasted two times.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91-93)

The 2020 Lespault-Martillac is plump, juicy and wonderfully expressive. Ripe red cherry/red plum, orange zest cinnamon and crushed flowers fill out the layers in a succulent, vibrant Lespault that will drink well right out of the gate. The 2020 is a wine of total allure.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90-92)

The 2021 Lespault-Martillac is packed with inky red/purplish fruit, spice and mocha. There's more Cabernet Sauvignon than usual in this year's blend, and that comes through in the wine's aromatic profile. The 2021 is not super complex, but it is supremely delicious and very easy to like.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2018 Lestage Simon has a ripe, quite opulent but focused bouquet of mainly red fruit (strawberry and raspberry), floral tones and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent, fleshy opening, but there is also satisfying structure and grip to this Haut-Médoc. Blood orange lingers on the aftertaste. Very fine.

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On tasting, the Liber Pater 2010 captivates with a mesmerising bouquet of ripe fruit, exotic spice, and earthy undertones. The palate commands attention with velvety tannins and an intriguing blend of blackberry, licorice and graphite nuances, leading to an unforgettable finish. This experience is encapsulated in the meticulous work of wine visionary, Loic Pasquet. Purchase Liber Pater 2010 and indulge in an unparalleled Bordeaux wine experience.

James Suckling (93)

Fantastic aromas of blueberries, orange peel and flowers. Full-bodied, fruity — yet silky and focused with a beautiful center palate of fruit and ripe tannins. Remains fresh and gorgeous. Best ever. Drink in 2019.

James Suckling (93)

Fantastic aromas of blueberries, orange peel and flowers. Full-bodied, fruity — yet silky and focused with a beautiful center palate of fruit and ripe tannins. Remains fresh and gorgeous. Best ever. Drink in 2019.

James Suckling (90-91)

Very fine and silky with polished and tight tannins. Medium to full body, currant and mineral aftertaste.

James Suckling (93-94)

Firm and silky with a lovely depth of fruit and polished tannins. Some cedar and berry. Full and dense. Excellent length. Energetic acidity at end. Yes. Better than the super 2014. Best ever

Jeb Dunnuck (91)

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.

Jeb Dunnuck (91)

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.

James Suckling (93-94)

Very pretty blueberries and light wet earth with minerals and lavender. Medium to full body and firm tannins. Lots of of stone character. This has almost 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon in the blend now (50 per cent more), which gives it real line and length. Racy.

James Suckling (93-94)

Very pretty blueberries and light wet earth with minerals and lavender. Medium to full body and firm tannins. Lots of of stone character. This has almost 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon in the blend now (50 per cent more), which gives it real line and length. Racy.

Vinous - Neal Martin (92-94)

The 2019 Lilian Ladouys has a powerful, quite burly bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, wine gums, touches of blueberry and violet. It feels more Margaux than Saint-Estèphe! The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, fine grip, just a hint of piquancy and a lovely estuarine/briny influence that defines the classic finish. I prefer the palate to the aromatics at this juncture, but overall this is promising. Tasted thrice with consistent notes.

Vinous - Neal Martin (92-94)

The 2019 Lilian Ladouys has a powerful, quite burly bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, wine gums, touches of blueberry and violet. It feels more Margaux than Saint-Estèphe! The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, fine grip, just a hint of piquancy and a lovely estuarine/briny influence that defines the classic finish. I prefer the palate to the aromatics at this juncture, but overall this is promising. Tasted thrice with consistent notes.

Vinous - Neal Martin (92-94)

The 2019 Lilian Ladouys has a powerful, quite burly bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, wine gums, touches of blueberry and violet. It feels more Margaux than Saint-Estèphe! The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, fine grip, just a hint of piquancy and a lovely estuarine/briny influence that defines the classic finish. I prefer the palate to the aromatics at this juncture, but overall this is promising. Tasted thrice with consistent notes.

Vinous - Neal Martin (92-94)

The 2019 Lilian Ladouys has a powerful, quite burly bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, wine gums, touches of blueberry and violet. It feels more Margaux than Saint-Estèphe! The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, fine grip, just a hint of piquancy and a lovely estuarine/briny influence that defines the classic finish. I prefer the palate to the aromatics at this juncture, but overall this is promising. Tasted thrice with consistent notes.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

This estate continues to deliver the goods, and the 2020 Château Lilian Ladouys is another smoking wine readers will love. Lots of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and damp earth give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, textured, beautifully balanced red that will drink well for 20 years or more.