| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This new property is owned by Jacques Thienpont (of Le Pin) and was formerly known as Haut Plantey before he purchased it in 2010. It consists of 8 hectares of which 5 are situated next to Troplong Mondot. Plantings are 91% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc. Winemaking by Nicolas Thienpont's son Cyrille.
All 8 hectares here are now in production so production is now 10,000 bottles. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. 14.3% alcohol. 50% new oak, 50% second year oak. Harvested 14th to 26th September
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château l'If
Aromas of raspberries, cherries, spices and bay leaf introduce the 2022 L'If, a medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy wine that's taut and vibrant, built around lively acids and fine, chalky tannins. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the decision to halve the volume of pump-overs have delivered a suave Saint-Émilion, even in this structured vintage.
The 2022 L'If, a blend of 20% Cabernet Franc from fourth-leaf vines and 80% Merlot, was picked on 14 and 26 September at 35hL/ha. The limestone soils percolate through nicely on the nose with mineral-rich blackberry and bilberry fruit, quite estuarine (even if it doesn't border the Gironde!) The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit and blueberry notes. It's finely structured with a touch of licorice popping up on the finish, overtly spicy on the aftertaste. This is a very well-crafted Saint-Émilion from Jacques Thienpont and team - no wonder it is gaining a loyal following like Le Pin. 2030-2055
Gorgeous and very fine tannins with a fine velvet texture and wonderful berry, chocolate and hazelnut character. Medium-bodied with round and balanced tannins with serenity and a crunchy finish. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc.
Brigh blueish purple in colour with a supple, generous nose of fleshy red and black currants. High polish brings succulent, fine tannins propping up fleshy forest fruit. There is a hint of spice and pencil shavings on the back end, bringing balance to this rounded, plush wine.
The 2022 L'If, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It swans out of the glass with gregarious notions of juicy raspberries, plum preserves, and fresh blackberries, followed by hints of roses, star anise, and smoked meats. The medium to full-bodied palate is charged with energy, delivering a firm fine-grained backbone of tannins and lovely tension, finishing long and fragrant. pH 3.52.
Deep plum colour with violet reflections, and this is full of limestone intensity and grip, with fragrant floral aromatics. Bitter edge of black chocolate, fennel and aniseed, cassis fruits, real purity of character. Cyril Thienpont winemaker. Owned by the Thienponts since 2010. Harvest September 14 to 26. 50% new oak. 35hl/h yield. 3.52ph. New barrel cellar from 2023 vintage, 4,000l Stockinger barrels. 50% new oak.
The Thienponts of Le Pin’s newish acquisition next to Troplong Mondot on clay limestone. After careful soil mapping, half of the estate was replanted with, for example, Cabernet Franc on the limestone. Since 2021 all of the estate is now producing. So there is currently a high proportion of young vines, but apparently they withstood 2022 drought well. What didn’t go into the grand vin goes into Collines de l’If. Cyril Thienpont, son of Nicolas, is in charge. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. 50% new barrels.
Fragrant and sappy. Fresh and lively. Rich and racy. Clean and lightly sandy tannins on the end. Not the longest but very nice and surely the best vintage yet of this wine. Lots of lifted, limestone minerality. 14.3%
Drink 2027– 2037
