Blason de l'Evangile 2021

Finely spicy, almost piquant, with a herbal note, red berries, sour cherries. On the palate, light-footed and fresh, with delicate fruit, tannins already well integrated, dancingly light, showing elegance and medium length.

Dark berry notes on the nose, bramble and blackcurrant. A little bit sharp and sour on the palate, just initially, a burst of bramble fruits that then settles to be creamy and chalky with a lick of wet stone. Lacks a little depth on the mid-palate, more aerial and focused right now, with a fresh lingering flavour at the end. Still refined, lightly framed and delicate — not so powerful, more finessed, though the Cabernet aspects are totally delicious and provide such great mintiness on the long finish. Ageing will help broaden this out.

This shows black cherries and mushrooms with bark and chocolate and hints of citrus. It’s medium- to full-bodied with round and velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Very gourmand and enticing. Second wine of Chateau L’Evangile but mostly from vineyards with sandy soils. 84% merlot and 16% cabernet franc. Drink or hold.

The 2021 Blason de L'Évangile, which is partly aged in foudres and concrete to impart more freshness, has a strict bouquet with dark berry fruit, a touch of cedar and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with black pepper and rosemary on the entry and moderate depth. It’s a little coarse and dry on the finish; therefore, I would drink this over the next four or five years.

Spicy, leafy accents add to the bright red fruits on the nose. Medium-bodied, soft, crisp, strawberry, cherry, and red plums with a savory touch and just a hint of chocolate finish off the wine. You can enjoy this on release and over the near term while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2023-2031. 88-90

Deep ruby-hued, with lots of up-front Bing cherry and blueberry-like fruit, the 2021 Blason De L'Evangile is medium to full-bodied and has a round, supple, layered mouthfeel, some floral and chocolaty nuances, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It's about as textured and sexy as the vintage gets, and I'd certainly be happy to drink a bottle any time over the coming 10-12 years.

The austerity found En Primeur is still here, but the aromatics do a great job of filling things out, with delicate raspberry leaf and red cherry fruit. No chaptalisation, and no fining before bottling. 5% new oak for ageing, with large oak casks and large-sized foudres, plus 20% in stainless steel. Both frost and mildew led to a 20 hl/ha yield. First organic-certified vintage, and the first full year with Juliette Couderc as technical director.

A blend of 84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Blason de L’Evangile has a medium garnet-purple color. Floral notes of roses and lavender skip out of the glass, leading to a core of red and black plums, with hints of dusty soil and allspice. Medium-bodied, the palate is bright and refreshing, with fine-grained tannins and lovely purity on the finish.

The freshness displayed by the Blason is explained by the 16% Cabernet Franc. One 26-hl foudre was used for ageing, along with concrete vats (15% and 20%). Oak management is precise; it primarily impacts the palate, particularly the mid-palate. The tannins provide solid backbone and offer valuable support alongside the acidic structure. A Blason d’Evangile that can already be enjoyed in its youth.

Deep, intense, vibrant colour. An aromatic nose with fruit that is both fresh and ripe. The palate is all about tactile softness, supported by a fine, silky richness that caresses and perfumes. Juicy and flavoursome overall, with a delicate liquorice note, long and melting. A lovely lift that coats the palate. Worth noting that the ageing has changed, with the introduction of foudres (20%) in addition to barrels.

(Organic, 84% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc) Fresh, fragrant, floral, light bouquet; redcurrants, red cherries, balsa wood. Fine, fragrant palate with fresh fruit, delicate structure, finely grained sandy tannins, good aromatics, light finish. Has room to improve. 16/20 2024 - 2034

The 2021 Blason de l'Evangile has actually benefited, in a sense, from the frost, as the estate's lesser, sandier terroirs were hit hardest and represent a smaller proportion of the blend than usual. Bursting with aromas of plums, berries, violets, licorice and mint, it's medium-bodied, fleshy and suave, with powdery tannins and succulent acids. Some 20% was matured in tank and another 20% in foudre, leaving the wine's fruit in the foreground.