| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This Chateau is situated in a prime position on the Pomerol plateau between Petrus, La Conseillante and Cheval Blanc. The wines here are always smooth and seductive and are made by the team from Chateau Lafite. 20% of the production goes into a second label - Blason de l'Evangile. The 2018 was picked from 19th September to 2nd October and is 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc.
The 2018 L’Evangile is the vintage when Cabernet Franc (20%) returned to the blend after mildew reduced the percentage of Merlot. It has an almost identical bouquet to the one that I encountered from barrel, that attractive mélange of black fruit, briar and a lovely marine/oyster shell scent now accentuated in bottle. As I mentioned in my previous note, the Cabernet Franc shapes the aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, the 70% new oak still quite vocal and, to my mind, dictating the finish, rather than L’Evangile’s exceptional terroir. There is a slight concluding bitterness that nags away on the very briny aftertaste. With aging I am certain this Pomerol will improve, but it just misses the charm of other vintages at the moment. 2025 - 2040
So attractive on the nose with blackberry, black olive and a hint of brown sugar. It’s full-bodied with layers of ripe tannins that flow across the palate. Rich, intense and flavorful finish with flavors similar to the aromas. Fleshy and toned at the end. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2025.
The 2018 L'Evangile is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes barreling out of the glass with explosive scents of boysenberries, stewed plums and baked blackberries with hints of lilacs, candied violets, Indian spices and garrigue, plus a touch of black truffles. Full-bodied, rich and powerful in the mouth, this blockbuster coats the palate with layers of black fruit preserves and exotic spices, framed by plush tannins and wonderful energy, finishing long and savory. Decadently approachable now, give it 4-5 years in bottle for maximum impact and drink it over the next 20+ years. 2025 - 2045
You feel the density and power straight off the nose here - this is really silky, sexy and smoky wine with a ton of complex flavours combining berry fruits with spices swirling through, and finishing up with liquorice bean and coffee grounds on the finish. There’s less lift perhaps than the 2016, but you feel the concentration, the depth to the flavour, and the balance. It has a beautiful texture and feels very classically Pomerol but with elegance and persistency. A small production in 2018 but a very beautiful one. 75% new oak used.
Drinking Window 2027 - 2044
Tasted blind. Neat, introvert nose without opulence. Quite rich on the palate, though, with alcohol and tannin. Big and bold. Maybe just a tad too much for some palates. 14.5%
Drink 2026 – 2043
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. pH 3.9. Barrel sample.
Inky core, deep crimson rim. Perfumed with black fruit and violets. Dense but not tough, many fine layers giving density but it's smooth and plush nevertheless with some dark chocolate on the finish. Fruit character is dark enough to be savoury, black olive and then becoming just slightly more floral with air. Changes a lot in the glass. It's a wine all in the future even though the tannins are smooth now. It's quite closed in on itself but should have a long life. (JH) 14.5%
Drink 2028-2035
The grand vin 2018 Château l'Evangile turns the intensity up substantially, offering a beautiful bouquet of blue fruits, violets, classy oak, spring flowers, and graphite. Rich, concentrated, and elegant on the palate, it has more Cabernet Franc than normal (20%) and this shows dramatically, with the wine staying more focused, straight, and fresh compared to the more massive and opulently styled 2015 and 2016. This is a regal, elegant yet still full-bodied l’Evangile that’s going to benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age and keep for 25 years or more.
(80 Merlot, 20 Cabernet Franc) | 75% new oak | 14.5% alc | Production was 20000 bottles | 83 IPT A powerful, structured L’Evangile and a wine which is densely packed with fruit, but having said this, this is still a very introverted wine. This property changes so much with the sensitivity of the vintage and the 2018 will be an extraordinarily long-lived wine. The oak is well-judged and the skin tannins are fit, lively and very well-balanced. Darker and more muscular and, funnily enough, a little like Lafite, this is a stronger and more square-shouldered wine than the past few vintages. There is no need to open this wine for at least fifteen years.
The 2018 L’Evangile sees the return of Cabernet Franc, this year the Merlot suffering mildew earlier in the season after seven days of rain fell just after flowering. "It was the first real vintage under organic/biodynamic viticulture," commented Jean-Pascal Vazart. "But the 2019 was easier." It has a vigorous and intense bouquet, black fruit mixed with black truffle and light marine aromas, the Cabernet Franc very expressive. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple but firm tannins that provide backbone to this Pomerol. The 70% new oak is nicely integrated on the entry, though I feel at the moment it is quite vocal on the finish. This should be subsumed by the time of bottling, though it will require several years of ageing. Drink 2022-2040.
A very plush and exciting L’Evangile with polished, velvety tannins that set this up to be a classic. It’s full-bodied with glorious fruit and a great center palate that has fantastic depth. It’s so caressing and beautiful. So much here.
The 2018 L'Evangile is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot was harvested September 19 to October 2, and the Cabernet Franc was harvested September 25 to October 1. This is the optimal blend—with more Cabernet Franc coming through this year, since it was amazing. Deep garnet-purple colored, it slips seductively out of the glass with glamorous notes of baked black cherries, warm blueberries and raspberry tart plus wafts of kirsch, red roses, rose hip tea, espresso, licorice and sandalwood. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and delivering opulent black fruit layers, the palate has a firm frame of lovely, ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Beautiful.
