L'Evangile 1982

A blockbuster, dark plum/garnet-colored wine, the 1982 L'Evangile reveals a decadent, extravagantly rich nose of caramelized fruit, plum, licorice, smoked meats, and toffee. This opulent, full-bodied Pomerol caresses the palate with layers and layers of glycerin and fruit. The tannin is barely noticeable in this massive, rich, gorgeous effort. The complexity of the nose alone is worth a special admission price. It is close to full maturity, and is capable of lasting another 20-25 years.

Extremely decadent, as always, with black truffles, black olives and berries on the nose. Full body, chewy and layered. Salty undertone. This is a wonderful wine forever. Historic profile. Gets better all the time. Drink now.

Exceptionally dark crimson, the deepest of all these wines. Even slightly black still. Rich nose with a hint of dried fruit. Sweet and full without quite the lift of the 1985 but probably more staying power. Sweet, luscious, gorgeous wine. Wonderfully full and complete. Fully vindicates 1982’s reputation.

Another dark wine, with a rich and exotic scent: lots of sweet spice and incense here. Still very sturdy on the palate, too, with its acidity held in check (a gauge of longevity in older Bordeaux: the more the acidity shows, the nearer the end). It’s still possible to pick out plums in its cascade of flavour amid the warm, meaty depths. An outstanding wine.

This was the first time in a month of Mondays that I had the good fortune to drink a bottle of the 1982 Château l’Evangile, as the last bottle to cross my path was sadly corked. Happily, this one was in pristine shape and the wine showed magically. The nose delivers a deep, sappy and complex blend of black plums, black cherries, cigar ash, dark soil, bitter chocolate, gentle herb tones a deft framing of smoky new oak and a distinctive topnote of black tea. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and plush on the attack, with a rock solid core of fruit, lovely balance and grip, excellent complexity and a long, modestly tannic and class finish. This is a great vintage of l’Evangile, but to my palate, it is not quite the equal to the magical 1975 fashioned at this estate. Drink 2022-2060.