Chateau L'Evangile - Pomerol 2018

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Chateau L'Evangile Description

Circa 1900, Chateau L’Evangile was widely considered the third-best wine in all of Pomerol, just behind Vieux Chateau Certan and Petrus.

Located next door to Chateau La Conseillante, not far from Petrus and only a stone’s throw from Chateau Cheval Blanc in the southeast section of the Pomerol plateau, a small, dirt road separates L’Evangile from Saint Emilion. They have a terroir of clay, gravel, and sand with iron oxide soil and with sections closer to the peak of the Pomerol plateau, near Petrus with more of that all-important, deep blue clay.

In 1990, Lafite acquired L’Évangile from the Ducasse family with a goal of ensuring that the property was managed to the same high standard. The first thing they did was to create a refined selection of the Grand Vin, and the introduction of a second wine: Blaison de L’Évangile. The complete renovation of the vat room and the cellar, which was finished in 2004, completed the property’s new configuration. In June 2012, they purchased 6 hectares of vines from La Croix de Gay allowing them to expand their vineyard to its current 22-hectare size. The vineyard began conversion to organic farming in 2018 and was certified as 100% organic in 2021.

James Suckling: 98 Points

Decanter: 97 Points

"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. (Drink between 2027-2044)" (JA)

Jeb Dunnuck: 97 Points

Wine Advocate: 97 Points

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.

Vinous

The 2018 L'Évangile is flamboyant, spectacularly beautiful. Mildew in June took out fully 50% of the potential crop, resulting in a dense, opulent wine that is going to need many years to shed some of that baby fat. The 20% Cabernet Franc is the highest on record. The 2018 is an epic, modern-day Évangile. Raspberry jam, mocha, licorice, spice and chocolate come together as the 2018 blossoms with time in the glass. Made with 80% new oak. Both hedonistic and intellectual, the 2018 is a total pleasure bomb. Don't miss it. A real wow wine - huge! (AG)