Savoring Chateau Lilian Ladouys St. Estephe, 2019, with the Soulful Sounds of Judicaël Perroy

This week I feel like taking a trip across the Atlantic to the famed wines and music of the French. I have to admit that I have a soft spot for French wines; especially Bordeaux wines. With this in mind let’s marry the elegance of Chateau Lilian Ladouys St. Estephe, 2019, with the soulful sounds of Judicaël Perroy’s album, “Paris est une solitude peuplée.” As we uncork this exquisite wine and immerse ourselves in the intricate guitar compositions of Perroy, I invite you to join me on this sensory adventure. Let’s explore how the profound notes of wine and music create an experience that elevates the spirit and enchants the soul.

Short Bio Of Judicaël Perroy

Judicaël Perroy is a French classical guitarist who is renowned for his exceptional talent and contributions to the world of classical guitar music. He was born on December 13, 1973, in Paris, France, and began playing the guitar at a young age. Perroy has gained international recognition for his virtuosic playing, musicality, and dedication to the classical guitar repertoire.

Education

Perroy studied at the Paris Conservatoire. He received guidance and training from renowned guitarists and teachers such as Daniel Lavialle, Alexandre Lagoya, and Raphaël Andia.

Awards and Competitions

Perroy has won numerous prestigious guitar competitions throughout his career. One of his most significant achievements was winning the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) International Concert Artist Competition in 1997. This helped propel his career to international prominence.

Concert Career and Teaching

Judicaël Perroy has performed extensively around the world. He captivates audiences with his technical prowess and expressive interpretations of classical guitar compositions. He consistently appears as a soloist with major orchestras and plays at renowned concert venues and festivals.

In addition to his performing career, Perroy is also a dedicated teacher. He has given masterclasses at various music institutions and festivals, sharing his expertise with aspiring guitarists.

Repertoire and Recordings

Perroy’s repertoire spans a wide range of classical guitar music. These include works by composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, Fernando Sor, Francisco Tárrega, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and many others. His interpretations have musical depth and technical brilliance.

Judicaël Perroy has recorded several albums, showcasing his artistry and mastery of the classical guitar. His recordings have received critical acclaim and serve as a testament to his musical versatility.

Judicaël Perroy’s contributions to the world of classical guitar have made him a respected figure in the guitar community. His performances continue to inspire both fellow musicians and classical music enthusiasts around the world. His dedication to the instrument and its repertoire has solidified his place as one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation.

Sounds “Paris est une solitude peuplée”

Paris est une solitude peuplée is, obviously, an album by French classical guitarist Judicaël Perroy, released in 2017. The album features a selection of works by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Manuel Ponce, Toru Takemitsu, and Fernando Sor.

The title of the album translates to “Paris is a populated solitude.” This is a reference to the French poet Charles Baudelaire’s poem “Le Spleen de Paris.” The poem explores the theme of urban alienation. The album’s music reflects this mood with its melancholic melodies and atmospheric harmonies.

The album opens with Villa-Lobos’s Suite populaire brésilienne, a set of five pieces that evoke the sounds of Brazilian folk music. The suite is followed by Ponce’s Sonata III, a virtuosic work that showcases Perroy’s technical skills. Takemitsu’s Equinox is a more atmospheric piece, with its delicate textures and ethereal harmonies. The album closes with Sor’s Fantaisie Elégiaque, a beautiful and melancholic piece that is a fitting conclusion to the album.

Critics praise Paris est une solitude peuplée for its beautiful playing and its sensitive interpretation of the music. The album has been awarded a Diapason d’Or, a distinction awarded by the French music magazine Diapason.

Let’s Pair This Beautiful Album with Chateau Lilian Ladouys St. Estephe, 2019

About Château Lilian Ladouys

Château Lilian Ladouys is a prestigious wine estate located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation within the Bordeaux wine region of France. It is one of the well-known and respected producers in the Bordeaux region, particularly in the Médoc subregion, which is renowned for its red wines made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grape varieties.

History and Terroir

The history of Château Lilian Ladouys dates back to the 16th century. Over the centuries, it changed hands several times, and in the 19th century, the Ladouy family owned it, which contributed to its current name.

The vineyards of Château Lilian Ladouys lie in the northern part of the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The terroir has gravelly soil on a base of clay and limestone, which is typical of the Médoc region. This terroir grows Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which thrive in the well-draining gravelly soil.

Wine and Classification

Château Lilian Ladouys produces primarily red wines. These wines are typically blends dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which imparts structure and age-worthiness. They have a depth, complexity, and ability to age gracefully. The estate also produces a second wine called “La Devise de Lilian.”

Château Lilian Ladouys was classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in the 2003 classification of Crus Bourgeois wines, a classification system that recognizes the quality of Bordeaux wines outside of the Grand Cru Classé classification.

Modernization and Ownership

In recent years, Château Lilian Ladouys has undergone modernization and improvements in winemaking techniques and vineyard management, resulting in even higher-quality wines.

The estate has seen changes in ownership over the years. As far as I can tell, the Lorenzetti family owns it and desires to preserve the estate’s legacy and produce exceptional wines.

About the Wine

The 2019 Château Lilian Ladouys is a blend of 59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. It is a medium-bodied wine with firm, slightly powdery tannins. The wine has a deep purple color and a nose of ripe black cherries, kirsch, blueberries, leafy herbs, and cedar pencil (I’m not sure where I picked up this description but it applies perfectly here). On the palate, the wine is smooth and well-balanced with flavors of black fruit, spice, and tobacco. The finish is long and lingering.

The 2019 vintage in Saint-Estèphe was a warm and dry year, which resulted in wines with ripe fruit and good structure. The 2019 Château Lilian Ladouys is a good example of this, and it is a wine that is ready to drink now but will also improve with age. However, the bottle for the evening isn’t going to get any more aging! I think this versatile wine pairs with a variety of dishes, such as grilled meats, game, and roasted vegetables.

Some tasting notes from critics that might interest you:

• James Suckling: 92 points, “This is very refined and balanced with soft, silky tannins and a fresh, clean finish. Drink now or hold.”
• Vinous: 92 points, “The 2019 Lilian Ladouys has a powerful, quite burly bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, wine gums, and touches of blueberry and violet. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins that are well-integrated. There is good concentration and freshness here, and the wine finishes with a long, lingering aftertaste.”
• Decanter: 91 points, “A new Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, freshly minted this year (from the 2018 vintage). I would put this right up there with the best vintages from Lilian Ladouys. The full-bodied and concentrated wine has ripe black fruit flavors and firm tannins. It needs time to soften, but it has the potential to age for many years.”

Overall, the 2019 Château Lilian Ladouys is a well-made wine that is ready to drink now but will also improve with age. It is a versatile wine that can be paired with a variety of dishes. If you are looking for a good Bordeaux wine (and I always am) from the 2019 vintage, the Château Lilian Ladouys is a good option to consider.

Conclusion

As the fusion of Chateau Lilian Ladouys St. Estephe, 2019, and the soulful sounds of Judicaël Perroy’s “Paris est une solitude peuplée” draws to a close, we are left with a profound appreciation for the magic that can unfold when two art forms converge. And yes, I consider making good wine an art. The rich, complex layers of the wine mirror the intricate melodies of the music, creating a symphony of taste and sound that lingers in our memory.

In this union of wine and music, we find that each sip and every note tell a story, evoking emotions and igniting the imagination. This serves as a reminder that life’s most exquisite pleasures find themselves in the delicate interplay of our senses. So, the next time you reach for a bottle of fine wine or select a piece of music to accompany your evening, consider the transformative power of this pairing. Let it be an exploration of the senses, a celebration of artistry in all its forms, and a reminder that beauty can be found in the simplest of moments. Cheers to the harmonious blend of Chateau Lilian Ladouys and Judicaël Perroy—a sensory journey worth savoring time and time again.

Also, check out our other useful articles:

• Mastering the Strings: A Step-by-Step Guide How to Learn a Song on Guitar
• Harmonious Evenings: Savoring the Sounds of Alirio Díaz Vol. 3 with JURA 12-Year-Old Whisky
• A Mature Pairing: Los Vascos Cromas Cabernet Reserve with Music of Barrios by David Russell
• The Ultimate Guide to the Best Beginner Classical Guitar

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Chadwick Becks

I have two degrees in guitar performance and was privileged to study under Aaron Shearer, Tom Kikta, David Skantar, Ken Karsh, Tim Bedner, and currently Christopher Berg. Outside my editorial work on this blog, I teach full-time across many genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, and metal.