Ripe black cherries, new leather, spring flowers, and graphite nuances all emerge from the 2022 Château Lilian Ladouys, a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated Saint-Estèphe that has ripe tannins, nicely integrated background oak, and a layered, balanced profile that will evolve gracefully going forward. It’s always a good value, as well as a worthy addition to any cellar, and the 2022 is no exception.

Fragrant and expressive on the nose with cassis, violets, cola, spiced blueberries and graphite. Massy and filling, the tannins have grip with both a fleshy texture and cool freshness which gives a push pull of ripe, opulent fruit, soft creaminess, and quite marked minerality in the coffee, liquorice and bitter dark chocolate spicing. Feels well constructed with precision but the power is still very much at the fore and this is focussed on strength and muscles rather than easy enjoyment right now. One to wait for.