Château l'Evangile 2011

Superb nose, floral and spicy; well-structured, polished tannins, balanced, easy-drinking, appealing, thoroughly delightful.

A dark, grippy, structured version, with a strong charcoal spine running through the core of dark fig, steeped plum and black currant fruit. Loam and bittersweet cocoa notes check in on the finish, endowed with ample buried acidity. Should stretch out pleasantly, but this will need a little more time than most other 2011 Pomerols to round into form. Best from 2017 through 2027.

Big, rich opulent, this wine has weight, concentration and layers of ripe Merlot. Structure is also there because of the black intensity of the wine, with spice and dark chocolate adding to the powerful fruit. Drink from 2017.

A young 2011 with lots of wood on the nose and plenty of plum character. Full to medium body, with velvety tannins and medium-fruity finish. Very polished texture. Try in 2015.

Bright, deep purple-ruby. Brooding nose offers rich blackcurrant and black cherry scents complicated by sexy oak, violet and minerals. At once pure, dense and silky, offering complex, fresh flavors of dark plum, spicy blackcurrant, vanilla, coffee and liquid minerals. Finishes sweet and extremely long, with seamless ripe tannins. Typically graceful and precise L'Evangile with sneaky power.

From a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.6% ABV and will be aged in 100% new oak. Yields were 32 hectoliters per hectare with the Grand Vin representing 73% of the harvest. Deep in color, licorice, chocolate, spice, black cherry, floral, plum and black raspberry liqueur scents create the perfume. Rich, dense and concentrated, this classic style of L’Evangile is tannic with powerful, chalky tannins and a long, stylish finish. 93-95 Pts

94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc. 73% Grand Vin. Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Expansive bouquet of candied sugar and plum, showing wonderful depth with first notes of summer truffle and liquorice. Very elegant on the palate thanks to the charming Cabernets; the Merlot provides fullness and dominates the opulence, yet everything comes across with great finesse. The finish then reveals a supportive astringency and brilliant spice, giving the aftertaste a tobacco-like note, which in turn blends with plenty of liquorice. A classic, soothing yet very fleshy L'Evangile that will need some time and then, in around 12 years, will unquestionably deliver great pleasure for a good 30 years. In principle the earlier vintages are greater, but I like this one because it documents the ideal image of this cru.

(94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc) Velvety, sweet, creamy, subtly opulent bouquet with strawberry, plum, pralines, blueberries and toasted notes. Velvety, dense, elegant palate with rich, sweet fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a creamy texture, powerful, multi-layered aromatics and a very long, full finish. Can still improve. 18/20 2020 - 2038

A beautiful, elegant wine with fine tannins. Very well-balanced, with a lovely length.

The nose is elegant and fruity, offering delicate freshness, restrained power, concentration and a very fine texture. Aromas of ripe blackberry and ripe wild strawberry emerge, along with lighter touches of grey pepper and undergrowth, joined by very subtle hints of nutmeg. The palate is fruity and balanced, with good definition, a fine tangy frame, tension and a lovely finesse of texture. On the palate, this wine shows notes of fleshy/juicy blackberry and very ripe blackcurrant, with lighter accents of undergrowth alongside subtle hints of tonka bean, clove, mushroom and sweet spices. The tannins are elegant and supple, with a very discreet chew. Good length.

Logo on the cork: LBG Dark, intense color, slightly developed. Moderately aromatic nose with a slightly overripe character. Caressing on the attack, the wine starts out supple before becoming a bit more rigid, as if too oaky, even though the aromas remain interesting.