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.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The 2019 Lestage-Simon has a composed bouquet of blackberry, tertiary and pencil box aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and ripe, with juicy tannins and good weight. Fleshy and yet at the same time, quite tender on the finish. This is a well-made Haut-Médoc.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90-92)

The 2020 Lestage Simon has good intensity on the nose, featuring cedar- and tobacco-infused black fruit that displays commendable intensity and delineation. The medium-bodied palate offers grainy tannins and crisp acidity. Very classic in style, with a grippy, slightly oaky finish. There is a boldness to this Haut-Médoc that I appreciate, but cellar it for 3-4 years.

Vinous - Neal Martin (87-89)

The 2021 Lestage Simon has quite a dense bouquet with blackberry, briar and light scorched earthy scents. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, quit compared and grippy, with just about sufficient fruit to keep everything balanced on the finish. It will require a prudent barrel maturation.

Discover Liber Pater 2010, a one-of-a-kind expression of Bordeaux's finest grapes. Liber Pater, Latin for 'Free Father', is a nod to the ancient Roman god of wine. Established in 2005 in Graves, a revered sub-region of Bordeaux, this elite winery produces wines that embody the authentic character of ungrafted varietals. The unique 2010 vintage is crafted using age-old vine training and vinification techniques and is produced entirely from pre-phylloxera vines, offering a genuine taste of terroir.

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

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

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.

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.

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.