Château l'Evangile 2009

An astonishing effort from the Rothschild family, the 2009 l’Evangile may be the reference point offering from this estate for decades to come. A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new oak, with 15% natural alcohol, it exhibits a sumptuous bouquet of caramels, black raspberry liqueur, blackberries, violets, graphite and truffles. Thick, viscous flavors are reminiscent of such super-ripe vintages as 1982, 1959, 1949 and 1947. The striking aromatics, massive, full-bodied mouthfeel and multilayered palate that resembles a skyscraper in the mouth offer an abject lesson in great winemaking, extraordinary terroir, and the ability to combine power with precision, elegance and freshness. This is unquestionably a huge wine, but it also possesses mindboggling complexity and finesse. Because of its sheer extract and velvety personality, it will be drinkable in 4-5 years, and will keep for four decades or more where well-stored. The most profound L’Evangile ever made?

This takes a broader approach, with almost stolid tobacco and charcoal structure guarding the core of black currant, roasted fig and blackberry confiture flavors. Long and very fleshy, offering ample toast and searing singed iron notes, but terrific integration. Merlot in Cabernet clothing, with a long life ahead. Best from 2018 through 2035.

95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. A vintage that managed to tick all the boxes set down by the Bordeaux oenology school for great years, even though it was a little too warm for true balance in some estates. Not here though, with flavours concentrated but not overly so. This has softened just slightly over the years, still showing an exotic, dark, spicy character and intense black fruits. Just getting going, but don’t feel the slightest urgency to open any bottles that you’re lucky enough to have. The tannins are still very present, even if they are like silk.

The purity of fruit in this is spellbinding now with blackberry and blueberry as well as violet undertones. Focused on intense yet subtle fruit. Full body, very tight yet textured and sexy. Ultra-fine tannins. The aftertaste of light chocolate and burnt orange peel is always subtle and bright. Needs at least another five or six years to open but already a joy to taste.

If you are a fan of L'Evangile and Pomerol, and of course, the disposable income, you cannot have enough of this magical elixir. This is bottled hedonism at its best. Opulent, expressive, aromatic, and sensuous, the wine offers layers of seductively-textured fruit, silky tannins, and a creamy, luxurious finish packed with truffles and layers of chocolate-coated plums and black cherries that seemingly do not want to quit. And this is just getting started, with its best days starting maybe 5 years from now. Drink from 2023-2050.

Deep ruby with purple reflections and discreet rim brightening. Lavish Merlot fruit of fully ripe cherry, floral nuances, fine oak nuances, a touch of nougat, delicate violet hints in the background. Complex, very powerful, pronounced fruit core, vivid, supporting tannins, sweet fruit echo, fine chocolate touch on the finish, lingers very long. A decidedly sturdy wine with a secure and long future, definitely not to open now, in ten years it will have so much more to offer. Classic Pomerol.

Deep purple. Powerful bouquet with very ripe red cherries, roasted coffee notes, quite broad on the attack, with a subtle hint of vintage Port. On the palate, pralines and blackcurrant within a dense, fleshy extract; dark caramel on the long finish, with plenty of pedigree. The finish feels more classic than the initial impression on the nose.

Deep purple, saturated at the core with a garnet sheen at the rim. Powerful bouquet, lots of very ripe red cherries, coffee-roast notes, quite forceful on the attack with a delicate vintage Port nuance hovering over the aromatic profile. On the palate, long and full of verve, with praline and blackcurrant in a dense, fleshy extract, and dark caramel on the finish. The ending feels more classic than the first impression on the nose suggested. (19/20). 13: Deep, slightly matte purple with carmine reflections. Comfortingly scented bouquet; the Cabernet Franc is ripe and shows it through its plum-ripe note, blackberry gelée, a touch of blackcurrant and dark precious woods. The pressure of the nose builds only slowly and the wine, aromatically, struggles to really open up. Velvety on the palate, very soft with a sublime fullness; the tannins register more through the extract than through overall astringency. On the finish, the demanding grain of the tannins comes through and makes the flow subtly powdery. A great wine, though it still can’t quite keep pace with the incredible elite. Needs a lot of time to reach its first stage of maturity.

Merlot 95%, Cabernet Franc 5%. Velvety, dense, sweet, opulent, creamy nose with hazelnut cream, pralines, tobacco and mint. Velvety, full, balanced, dense palate with powerful, sweet fruit, plenty of fine tannin, and an intense, dark aromatic profile with truffle and tobacco. Very long, full finish with fine retronasal aromas. 19/20. 2016 - 2035

Smoky, grilled black cherry, enticing and confident, with ripened blackberry and raspberry fruits, pomegranate, cherry pit, white peach, sage and fennel, wrapped up in waves of smoked earth and cocoa bean. An exuberant vintage of L'Evangile, deceptively open, but will continue to age.

Given the age of the vines, L’Évangile had to pull up part of its very old Cabernet Franc. Time will tell whether this decision wasn’t taken a year too early (though you’d have to be able to predict the future!). The blend is 95% Merlot (instead of the usual 70–75%). Very supple, with velvety tannins yet very present on the palate.

Full-bodied, lovely substance, fine tannins, lots of pedigree, licorice notes, superb, a nice lift on the finish, harmonious. On a 2005 level, more approachable. 14.6%, but pH 3.76.

Logo on the cork: inverted T (Trescases) Dark, intense color with slight maturity. Intense, refined nose with ripe fruit and a hint of licorice. Precise on the attack and very finely pulpy, the wine develops into a suave, silky texture, especially aromatic, with plenty of flavor and fine tannins. Bright finish, tinged with touches of overripe fruit.