Château Lilian Ladouys, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel St-Estèphe
Château Lilian Ladouys is a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in the commune of St-Estèphe.
The estate was first mentioned in1654 when it was as La Doys. It fell into disrepair in the 1900s before it was purchased by Christian Thieblot and Lilian Thieblot. Lilian Thieblot's name was added to the château name in 1989. It was sold again In 2007 to the property magnate and rugby club owner Jacky Lorenzetti. Lorenzetti also owns Pedesclaux and Haut-Milon in Pauillac, as well as 50% of Chateau d'Issan in Margaux.
The 80 hectares of vineyards are planted to 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. The vines are planted on the Cos Plateau. Formerly split into many parcels, with Lorenzetti's investment, the parcels have been consolidated (and swapped with other estates) to unify the vineyard. The estate has also entered organic conversion. As at Pedesclaux, Lorenzetti clearly has serious intent to raise the quality level here and this has already been recognised with the recent elevation to Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel status. Lilian Ladouys is overseen by Lorenzetti's daughter Manon.