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L'Evangile 2008

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

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Label

Tasting Notes

A 2,700-case blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc cropped at a low 27 hectoliters per hectare (compare that with 39 hectoliters per hectare in 2009 and 31 in 2010), this superb claret was aged 18 months in 75% new French oak. Mulberry, spring flower, black cherry and raspberry characteristics as well as hints of spice and coffee emerge from this full-bodied, opulent, structured beauty. It should age effortlessly for 15-20 years. Drink 2011-2031.

94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. Like Château Lafleur, this wine detests blind tastings and often comes across as rather "curmudgeonly", deprived of its due attention apropos decanting etc. Unsurprisingly, the l'Evangile 2008 is a little reticent on the nose: floral red fruit, very Merlot dominated with no Cabernet Franc. It opens nicely in the glass and shows real precision. The palate has a touch of piquancy on the entry, sharp citric acidity, nice tension even though it is just a little abrasive towards the finish. It is pinched at the moment but it should open up and indeed, a second bottle was more animated and tense. Tasted January 2012.

93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, January 2012

Exotic aromas of blackberries and roses. Orange peel and perfumes. Milk chocolate as well. Full-bodied, with a lovely texture of round tannins and a long, long finish. A beauty. Easily outstanding. 88 percent Merlot, 12 percent Cabernet Franc

90/93
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2009

Extremely deep crimson. Healthy look. Rich and spicy nose - much riper than some Pomerols (eg Conseillante and Église Clinet). Very heady and seductive. Rich and round and very flattering. Even a little tarry. Pretty chewy on the finish. Rather dry on the finish. Super opulent. Tar macadam dry finish. Fat and fleshy. Super flattering but may prove not as long lived as some?

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2009
Read more tasting notes...

It was an atypically late harvest at this famed Pomerol estate, beginning on September 29 and ending on October 14. Even more remarkable were the frighteningly low yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare. The final blend was 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, and the natural alcohol hit 13.7%, among the highest of the last one-hundred years. The acidity is surprisingly good given the ripeness of the fruit and the generally high alcohols in the 2008 Bordeaux. The dense purple-colored 2008 l'Evangile exhibits a floral nose of sweet mulberries, black currants, and black cherries, a full-bodied, lush texture, silky tannins, and an exceptionally fine finish. While not that evolved, this precocious Pomerol was tasting unusually well for such a young barrel sample. It should drink well for 15-20 years.

93/95
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com, April 2009

A very hard green harvest - 27hl/ha. Lots of work with the soil and the selection during the harvest using their 38-45hl cuves. They taste every parcel to make micro-blends. A blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc and matured entirely in new oak. The harvest commenced on 29th September when the harvest for the 2007 finished! It has a deep purple colour. The nose is very impressive, extremely pure and floral with lovely scents of blueberry, violets and cassis with a touch of vanilla. You can almost smell the silkiness. The palate is full-bodied, cashmere tannins, very harmonious and elegant with notes of blackberry, dark cherry, a hint of spice. But it is the texture that is so charming. A sensuous L'Evangile this year. Tasted April 2009

93/95
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2009
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.