Chateau L' Evangile Pomerol 2010

Description

Chateau L’Evangile, situated in the small appellation of Pomerol, a little way south of the famed Petrus vineyard, dates back as far as 1741 and was acquired by DBR Lafite in 1989. The vineyard is planted with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and produces richly textured, complex and ripe Merlot based clarets. The Grand Vin, Chateau L’Evangile, showcases the best this estate has to offer and with Lafite’s expertise at the helm, this is one of the finest Pomerol’s around.

The vines are harvested by hand and then vinified plot by plot – the vat and cellar rooms were updated in 2004 to help this process. After fermentation, the grand vin is aged in oak for 18 months before release. A second wine, Blason de l’Évangile, uses up grapes that are not deemed high enough quality for the top wine.

Grape Varieties Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Rating and reviews

98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Another spectacular effort from L'Evangile, the 2010 is a close rival to the 2009 and should be fascinating to compare with that vintage over the next 30 or so years. Stunningly rich and black/purple in color, the 2010 L'Evangile offers up the tell-tale floral note as well as black raspberry jam intermixed with cassis and kirsch. There are also ethereal floral notes and a hint of background oak.

97 points Decanter
Concentrated and closed on the nose, this has silky, seductive, finely-layered tannins, with tons of fruit and acidity providing the counterpoint. We are very definitely stepping up a level here, even among the extremely good quality wines that I am tasting. The depth and texture are striking, as are the exotic notes of anis and black peppercorns, and the whispers of iris and violet flowers as things open up in the glass. Such a lovely property, really showing what it can do.

97 points Wine Spectator
A Pomerol of a different color, relying heavily on dense muscle and dark charcoal notes, with a core of fig, blackberry paste and blueberry reduction waiting in reserve. Very solid through the finish, displaying a thick ganache coating and extra loam, black licorice and dark fig notes rolling through.

96 points James Suckling
Superb aromas of blackberry, blueberry, violets and citrus peel. Some oyster shell and dark chocolate. Full body, dense and powerful with chewy tannins and lots of rich fruit at the finish. Turns to walnut and dark berry. I love the texture and richness. A wine to follow for your lifetime. Just opening a little now.

94 points Vinous
Good medium ruby. Enticing aromas of dark plum, blackcurrant, coffee liqueur and cinnamon are lifted by an intense note of violet. Sweet, lush and round, combining a fine-grained texture and terrific focus thanks to vibrant but harmonious acidity. Finishes very long and pure, with ripe but still youthfully chewy tannins. This very attractive 2010 ought to evolve gracefully for decades.

17.5/20 points Jancis Robinson
Oak-char first impression but there's lots of sweet ripe fruit there too. Juicy, generous and very giving. So generous in its fruit even though there is plenty of ripe tannin there. Luscious.