Blason de l'Evangile 2023

Ripe-fruited, with a peppery aroma, dark chocolate, blackberry; rich on the palate, lush, ripe fruit, fine tannins, pleasantly long, spicy finish.

Gorgeous aromatics, perfumed and lively, really scented and lifted on the nose – dark chocolate and blackcurrant. Bright and punchy, but soft and generous too, with a gravelly minerality to the tannins that gives structure and coats the mouth in a fine, powdery, chalky layer. It’s soft and caressing, not too high in acidity at all, the tannins quite present but nicely enveloping the mouth. Smooth and suave, but not too firm. I like the balance here, soft hints of herbal Cabernet mint and liquorice leave a lasting impression. A touch spicy on the finish but this is really charming in a gentle and calm way. Great stuff. Acidity doesn’t stick out, more of a Left Bank style, still with tension in the middle – it has a backbone and keeps the focus but with a gentle expansion. Ageing 20% concrete tanks, 15% new oak. pH 3.8.

Cocoa and roses, with hints of licorice, are already easy to spot on the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, sweet, polished, fresh, and easy to like, thanks to its creamy texture and chocolate-covered cherry character. You can enjoy this on release and over the near term while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. The wine blends 95% Merlot with 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026–2037. 90–92 pts.

Good quality, well constructed, enticing floral aromatics, raspberry fruit, freshly cut herbs, a little tight on the finish; not as plush as last year’s vintage but plenty to enjoy. Almost 80% of the wine comes from the sandier soils harvested early in September, with 15% new oak for ageing and 20% kept entirely out of oak. Harvest September 4 to 28, yield 42 hl/ha, a record here in recent years — and this after green harvesting (while retaining leaf cover to guard against heat spikes). Certified organic since 2021. 15% of overall production in Blason. No need to wait too long to start drinking.

Score: 90–92. An exuberant, enveloping bouquet releasing aromas of ripe black fruits, underlined by a serious mineral note. The palate is deliciously savoury, with umami notes of soy sauce and star anise. It is true to the château’s voluptuous style, yet controlled, with a saline flair that lingers through the long finish.