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L'If 2016

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

This new property is owned by Jacques Thienpont of Le Pin. It consists of 8 hectares of which 5 are next to Troplong Mondot.

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Label

Tasting Notes

This is incredibly refined and long with super finesse and length. Full-bodied, deep and beautiful. Subtle chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. Pure merlot this year. Sexy and sophisticated at the same time.

96/97
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2017

This has a deft ripple of acidity which keeps you on your toes all the way through this wine. From the Le Pin stable, it is just as seductive as you would imagine, with soft, ripe damson fruits and barely-there tannins that caress the palate. They have 5ha located by Troplong Mondot, 2ha by La Segue, and a further 1ha right on the limestone plateau. 100% Merlot, they finished picking this wine on 20th October as the soils are so late ripening. Aged in 50% new oak.

94
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, April 2017

Very deep crimson. Quite rich and dense with lots of sweetness. Sinewy and savoury end. Quite racy and energetic compared with most St-Émilions. Bracing.
Drink 2023-2030

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2017

The nose has a fragrant fresh red fruited charm the palate starts with fresh red and black fruits. Rich in the middle the fruit is sweet and ripe the tannins fine discreet integrated and although lighter an exuberant freshness at the back the finish is rich ripe and supple. 2025-37

91/95
Derek Smedley MW, DerekSmedleyMW.co.uk, April 2017

Unlike its stable mate, Le Pin, this always contains some Cabernet Franc, although the percentage has been halved in 2016. It shows the same gentle, Thienpoint touch, with lovely perfume, fine tannins, bright acidity and subtle red and black fruits. 2023-30

92
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2017
Read more tasting notes...

The 2016 Chateau l'If, Jacques Thienpont's sister property to Le Pin, is pure Merlot picked on 19 and 20 October at 40 hectoliters per hectare and matured in 50% new oak, the remainder one year old. It delivers 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.38. It has a rich and opulent bouquet with crème de cassis and blueberry fruit, a little racy at first, but it seems to calm down in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky texture and very well judged acidity. There is a little more body compared to the 2015 l'If, a bit more density with layers of black cherry and blueberry towards the long, very fresh finish. The 2015 l'If was great, but the 2016 could be even better. Drink Date 2022 - 2045

93/95
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (230), April 2017
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.