Château l'Evangile - Subskription -

4/30/2024 Vinous VINOUS (ANTONIO GALLONI) : 94-96 / 100 The 2023 L’Évangile is sensual and plush in the glass. Silky, refined tannins wrap around a core of dark-toned fruit, spice, mocha, leather and dried flowers. This opens nicely, leading to an explosive, deep finish that is quite compelling. Élevage is 50% new oak, 27% once-used barrels, 15% 26hL cask and 8% amphora. It's another fine effort from the team led by Technical Director Juliette Couderc. 4/29/2024 Vinous VINOUS (NEAL MARTIN) : 94-96 / 100 The 2023 L'Évangile was picked from September 4 to 28 at 42hL/ha, which is the highest for many years. Matured in 50% new oak (including 15 foudres) and 8% in amphoras (my sample only from used barrels), this has a very floral and precise bouquet with dark red fruit, blueberry, hints of blood orange and light sous-bois scents. It's very L'Evangile. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins. Crisp and precise, there’s fine tension toward the finish with a lingering black pepper note. This is a lovely L'Évangile that deserves five or six years in bottle. It will be worth the wait. 4/29/2024 Falstaff FALSTAFF (PETER MOSER) : 95 / 100 Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. Delicately earthy nose, dark forest berries, dark cherries, tobacco nuances, candied orange zest. On the palate juicy, complex, finely-meshed, subtle herbal savouriness, vivid tannins, salty finish, me- tallic-limestone touch in the aftertaste; classic Pomerol expression, has length and good ageing potential. 4/28/2024 The Wine Independent THE WINE INDEPENDENT (LISA PERROTTI-BROWN) : 93-95 / 100 A blend of 78% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 L’Evangile has a pH of 3.7. It is deep garnet-purple in color and on the nose oaky overtones soon give way to a core of baked plums, stewed black cherries, and mulberries, leading to suggestions of dried herbs, mossy tree bark, and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is lightly chewy, with soft acidity and savory accents to the black berry flavors, finishing with an herbal lift. The alcohol is 13.5%. 4/26/2024 Wine Advocate WINE ADVOCATE (WILLIAM KELLEY) : 93-95 / 100 Wafting from the glass with deep aromas of dark berries, spices, licorice and petals, framed by a sweet patina of new oak, the 2023 L'Evangile is medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a textural attack that segues into a supple, integrated core that's framed by sweet, powdery tannins. It's a blend of 78% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, checking in at 13.5% alcohol, that was harvested between September 4 and 28. 4/25/2024 Jamessuckling.com JAMESSUCKLING.COM (JAMES SUCKLING) : 96-97 / 100 A fine line of tannins runs through this medium- to full-bodied wine. Chocolate, walnut and lead pencil on very fine tannins. Classy and focused, providing elegance with strength. Tight at the end. 78% merlot, 21% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon. 4/15/2024 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux JANE ANSON, INSIDE BORDEAUX (JANE ANSON) : 96 / 100 A fascinating exercise in terroir, as this shows the same alcohol as the Blason, but the density, fruit character and even the IPT (tannin) count are very different. You see the impact of clay soils in the building of the powerful architecture and the plush damson and black cherry fruits. There is density but tenderness to the tannins, with grilled caramel that gives a beautiful Pomerol signature. Violet floral edging arrives towards the finish, as things open up, and this is an impressive L'Evangile that can age with ease. 42hl/h yield, a record in recent years here. Certified organic since 2021. Great stuff from technical director Juliette Couderc.