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

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.

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.

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.

James Suckling (91-92)

A creamy and velvety red with redcurrants and spices. Some tobacco, too. Medium and juicy. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 6% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (91-92)

A creamy and velvety red with redcurrants and spices. Some tobacco, too. Medium and juicy. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 6% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc.

Vinous - Neal Martin (86)

The 2017 Linot has a well defined bouquet, not intense but endowed with pretty blackberry and redcurrant aromas. The palate is supple and lithe, not deep with fleshy red cherry and strawberry fruit that is tinged with vanilla on the finish. Fine.

Expertly crafted, the Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee 2021 demonstrates the finesse of Northern Rhône's viticulture genius. Sourced from the revered terrains of Cornas, Lyonnet's centuries-old vineyards embody an exquisite balance between tradition and innovation. This syrah's dense-purple colour heralds a powerfully rich yet refined palate - ripe red berries, liquorice undertones and subtle spice notes, underscored by an assertive tannic structure. Meticulously hand-harvested grapes followed by 18 months ageing in French oak barrels create its unique charm.

Known for biodynamic methods, Domaine Lionnet utilises organic viticulture, reflecting their respect for nature's rhythms. This approach enhances the wine’s mineral heart, producing a complexity that has secured their reputation for superior quality wines. The Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee 2021 stands as a testament to such unwavering commitment to excellence. Experienced wine enthusiasts will relish the layers of depth this full-bodied red offers, perfectly expressing the “terroir” effect.