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L'Evangile 2012

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Franc

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château L'Évangile

Label

Tasting Notes

This dark ruby/plum Pomerol offers up sweet black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, velvety tannin, medium to full body, and a nice lushness and silkiness. A beauty with great fragrance and suppleness, it’s not enormously endowed, as a great vintage would be, but it is certainly an outstanding wine and a brilliant effort from ’Evangile in 2012. Drink it over the next 15 years. Drink 2015-2030.

94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (218), April 2015

In 2012 there is only a small quantity of Blason de L'Evangile. Flowering meant there was only 31hl/ha and 73% of the crop went into the Grand Vin. The Merlot was picked between 20th September and 9th October and the Cabernet Franc from 6th to the 8th October, between which on only eight days did pickers go out with their secateurs. Of the parcels originating from their purchase of La Croix de Gay, three hectares was blended into Blason whilst one hectare situated between Lafleur and Providence was good enough for the Grand Vin. A blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, almost identical to the previous vintage and delivering a relatively high 14.4% alcohol, it has a finely tuned, forest floor-scented bouquet with crisp red berry fruit - quite conservative but showing impressive delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a tense, saline entry. This is a typical masculine L'Evangile - broody and introspective at the moment. There are clearly sweet tannins at the core of this Pomerol legend but it will demand several years in bottle to come round. Tasted April 2013.

94/96
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, May 2013

Lots of mineral, black chocolate and crushed raspberry character. Full-bodied, yet tight and reserved with pretty mineral, chalk and light salty character that turns to spices and blackberries. Better in 2019 but already gorgeous. Always like this.

93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2015

This has velvety tannins that you can practically stroke in the glass. They remain firm, adding width and depth through the mid palate, beautifully muscular plum, blackberry and raspberry fruits. Will soften further over next five years but has life and character. 31hl/h yield.

95
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, March 2022

Rich and inky colour. Definite mineral overlay on the dark fruit, adding freshness. and there's a hint of exotic spice and delicate complexity. Dense and rich and juicy. Already harmonious though with the structure to age. Finishes fresh and refreshing, quite surprising given the alcohol. Very good length and plenty of tannin but refined in texture so will certainly become velvety. (JH)

17.5
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2013

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). We have not yet tasted l'Evangile 2012 but the performance of neighbours La Conseillante, Petrus and Cheval Blanc suggests that this should be a top Pomerol.

Farr Vintners, March 2013

A dense, dark, woodsy style, with loads of tobacco, charcoal and
tar holding sway over steeped plum, black currant and Black Mission
fig flavors. Shows a serious graphite bolt on the finish, along
with a tug of dark earth. A rather powerful rendition of Pomerol
that will need some time to stretch out fully. Best from 2018
through 2032.

94
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Insider, January 2015

The nose has the sumptuous richness of ripe fruit and the palate is lush smooth supple packed with black plum and ripe cassis. The tannins give support but are not too obvious and although the back palate has a fleshy richness there is enough red fruit to lighten the finish. 2018-28

91/93
Derek Smedley MW, May 2013

Deeply coloured, very oaky and showing an undertone of Mediterranean herbs, this is a wine
that tastes like no other in 2012. There are notes of sandalwood and spice, plump blackberry
and black cherry fruit, good acidity and a dry, balsamic note. An interesting wine, but not
reaching the quality of the 2010.
Drink: 2020-30

93
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2013
Read more tasting notes...

The 2012 is an outstanding effort displaying copious quantities of black raspberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with hints of camphor, black truffles and subtle new oak. Opulent, round and generously endowed with impressive purity as well as a forward style, it should drink well young yet age for 12-15 years.

Administrator Pascal Vazart told me the rain that occurred at the end of September broke the hydric stress and drought-like conditions that had existed in this vineyard since mid-July. During that period, there was no rain, but lots of sunshine, which was beginning to cause serious issues with vineyards planted on sand and gravelly soils. The fruit for the 2012 l'Evangile was harvested between September 20 and October 9. It is composed of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc that achieved a lofty 14.3% alcohol level. The finished pH is 3.7, which no doubt accounts for the wine's smooth, velvety personality. No one will confuse the 2012 with their 2009 or 2010.

90/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (206), April 2013

A wine with plenty of deep fruit, spices and hazelnut character. Lovely fruit. Full-bodied, with lovely silky tannins and a long, long finish. So much going on here. Elegance with strength and structure. 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.

94/95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2013
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.