| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Another spectacular effort from L'Evangile, the 2010 is a close rival to the 2009 and should be fascinating to compare with that vintage over the next 30 or so years. Stunningly rich and black/purple in color, the 2010 L'Evangile offers up the tell-tale floral note as well as black raspberry jam intermixed with cassis and kirsch. There are also ethereal floral notes and a hint of background oak. The pH is slightly above average (3.7 versus the pH of 4.0 that the 2009 and 2000 possessed). This is a massive, rich, very impressive L'Evangile, and readers should take note of the "+" in my rating, which could certainly push this wine way up there. Remarkably, I was shocked when I learned that this wine was aged in 100% new oak, as the oak is a background element in this blockbuster l'Evangile. Forget it for 3-5 years, and drink it over the following 30-40. Drink 2016-2056.
With an alcohol level hitting the scales at 14.8%, the 2,000 cases of 2010 L'Evangile come from a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, which I assume is much less Cabernet Franc than what was used under the old administration of the Ducasse family versus what is being done now by Eric de Rothschild and his team. The new administrators have added some vineyard parcels from neighboring sites, particularly Le Croix de Gay, and they have also replanted part of this vineyard, which sits on the St.-Emilion border next to La Conseillante and facing Cheval Blanc and La Dominique.
Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. Château L'Evangile never really lends itself to blind comparisons. My score was parsimonious but even with one last sip before pouring my glass away, it seemed to be rapidly improving. It has a lively bouquet with red cherry fruit, kirsch and touches of eau-de-vie: hedonistic with faint hints of fresh prune. The palate has a ripe, sensual opening. Ripe and sweet in the mouth but a little pinched on the mid-palate with a spicy finish, this just lacks the composure of its peers and yet with time, it coalesces and attains more focus and precision. Tasted January 2014.
Extremely complex with black olives, violets and brown sugar. Superb nose. Full body with a impressive density and richness. The quality of the tannins is so very stunning, giving a wonderful texture. Fresh and bright. Such length. Try in 2017.
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 L'Evangile strides confidently out of the glass with notes of chocolate-covered cherries, vanilla pod, sweaty leather and baked plums plus hints of tobacco leaf and cinnamon stick. Full-bodied, the generously fruited palate has a lovely, plush frame with oodles of freshness and a spicy kick to the finish. 2020 - 2039.
Very dark crimson indeed. Very very sweet. Sweet and rich and full and extremely lush and flattering. Very smart and long and rich. Purity was the aim. Sweet start but lots of tannin and firmness. A wine I would really relax with. Long and relaxing and a bit like a massage. Their reconstruction aimed to increase the Cabernet Franc. Dry finish but so calming and charming. They have introduced some organic methods in the vineyard and replaced old vines. 14.7% but 3.75 pH. 14.7%
Consistently one of the finest wines of Pomerol, now under the control of the brilliant winemaking team of Chateau Lafite. 20% of the fruit is relegated to the second label Blason de l'Evangile. Made in a cutting-edge modern winery (with a "mini-Lafite" circular cellar). 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, matured in 100% new oak.
Dense and opulent, as is the style, but very refined. Full-bodied, succulent with a rich concentration of fruit. Powerful but with more apparent freshness than the excellent '09. Beautifully textured - tannins velvety and smooth. Long, clean finish. Drink 2020-2040.
As I have been predicting, the Rothschilds are pushing l'Evangile to the highest level of the Pomerol hierarchy. Composed of 88.8% Merlot and 11.2% Cabernet Franc, the 2010 achieved 14.7% alcohol naturally, making it one of the few 2010s with lower alcohol than its 2009 counterpart (the 2009 had 15% alcohol and the 2008 had 14.5%). Most of that is due to the superb ripeness and the high concentration of Merlot in 2010. The berries were extremely tiny and the drought and cool nights in August and September gave the 2010 a lower pH and higher acidity than the 2009. For example, the 2010's pH is 3.7, the 2009's is higher and in 2000 it was 4.0. The dense purple-colored 2010 exhibits massive levels of black raspberries, Asian plum sauce, truffles and cassis. The wine is unctuously textured and remarkably fresh with a weighty richness (much like the 2009) but greater delineation. A marvelous effort, it, along with the 2009, may turn out to be one of the two greatest wines made by l'Evangile. The 2010 should drink well young yet last for three decades or more.
Tasted at the property, the L'Evangile 2010 was an absolute corker in barrel and now in bottle, the nose is a brooding, almost saturnine beast that bides its time and when your back is turned, it unfurls to offer beautiful, very pure dark red cherry fruit laced with dates, blueberry and truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins on the entry. This has immense backbone and focus, every flavour in its right price. There are subtle notes of raspberry, wild strawberry, cedar, white pepper and black truffle, whilst the finish is incredibly powerful, akin to the great vintages of yesteryear. Cellar and long life ahead required. Tasted November 2012.
A blend of 88.8% Merlot and 11.2% Cabernet Franc, the l'Evangile was cropped between 21st September and 12th October and delivers a healthy 14.7% alcohol and a 3.7pH. Yields were just 31hl/ha due to coulure affected the Merlot. It has a very deep ruby colour. The nose is quite precocious yet still very well defined with blackberry, bilberry, a touch of limestone. The palate is full-bodied, sinewy, multi-dimensional with layers ripe red-berried fruits: pomegranate and raspberry with just a touch of spice. Symmetrical and very focused, perhaps without the swagger of the 2009. It is a forceful Pomerol at the moment, but at the same time intriguing and cerebral. Warning: this might blow you away after bottling. Tasted March 2011.
What a nose, with orange peel, dark berries and blueberries. Full and bright , with super velvety tannins. Acidity is juicy too. Very sumptuous. Creamy tannin texture. 88 percent Merlot and 22 percent Cabernet Franc
