Château l'Evangile - Pomerol 2009

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

par Neal Martin le 01/01/2013

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The L’Evangile is perhaps entering a broody patch, but it will ultimately become a brilliant Pomerol. It has a charming, gingerbread tinged bouquet with lively red berry fruit and Provençal herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity. It is more Merlot driven, though there is a fine tannic backbone and a line of graphite through the finish. All the constituent parts are in place and expect that score to rise in the future. Tasted January 2013. (94+ points)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

94 / 100

par Stephen Tanzer le 31/07/2012

Deep inky-ruby. A fresh violet topnote lifts and complicates aromas of dark plum and cassis on the enticing nose. Quite pure in the mouth, with mineral-driven flavors of dark berries, creamy milk chocolate and smoky plum. Lively framing acidity extends the wine's flavors impressively through a long finish. This has lost some baby fat but picked up more gracefulness since I tried it in the spring of 2010. 94(+?) points

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

par Robert Parker le 29/02/2012

An astonishing effort from the Rothschild family, the 2009 l’Evangile may be the reference point offering from this estate for decades to come. A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new oak, with 15% natural alcohol, it exhibits a sumptuous bouquet of caramels, black raspberry liqueur, blackberries, violets, graphite and truffles. Thick, viscous flavors are reminiscent of such super-ripe vintages as 1982, 1959, 1949 and 1947. The striking aromatics, massive, full-bodied mouthfeel and multilayered palate that resembles a skyscraper in the mouth offer an abject lesson in great winemaking, extraordinary terroir, and the ability to combine power with precision, elegance and freshness. This is unquestionably a huge wine, but it also possesses mindboggling complexity and finesse. Because of its sheer extract and velvety personality, it will be drinkable in 4-5 years, and will keep for four decades or more where well-stored. The most profound L’Evangile ever made?

Jamessuckling.com

99 / 100

par James Suckling le 15/02/2012

A wine that impresses you, with its subtlety and strength. Every molecule of the tannins and fruit seems to be almost perfectly in line. Enticing dark fruits and milk chocolate. The delicate, yet intense flavors go on for minutes. My palate is so caressed. Such class here. Might end up being better than the perfect 2005. Try after 2020.

Wine Spectator

97 / 100

par James Molesworth le 18/01/2012

This takes a broader approach, with almost stolid tobacco and charcoal structure guarding the core of black currant, roasted fig and blackberry confiture flavors. Long and very fleshy, offering ample toast and searing singed iron notes, but terrific integration. Merlot in Cabernet clothing, with a long life ahead. Best from 2018 through 2035. –JM

Le Figaro

94-96 / 100

par Bernard Burtschy le 30/06/2010

Robe grenat. Nez discret. En bouche, ample, belle matière, tannins fins, beaucoup de race, notes de réglisse, superbe, joli rebond en finale, harmonieux. Niveau 2005, plus avenant. 14°6, mais pH de 3,76. 95 % merlot, 5 % cabernet-franc.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

93-96 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 30/06/2010

(95% merlot with 5% cabernet franc; cropped at 39 hectoliters per hectare; 14.5% alcohol, pH 3.72; 80 IPT Deep purple-ruby. Intense aromas of smoky black plum, blackberry liqueur, violets and coffee. Enters very rich and dense, showing an ultra-creamy texture to the highly concentrated flavors of blackberry jam, coffee liqueur and milk chocolate. Lively, balanced acids keep this from going over the top, and extend the flavors on the long, captivating finish. The densest, richest young L'Evangile I can remember though a touch more finesse wouldn't have hurt it any. The property of the Ducasse family since 1862, it is now part of the Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) wine empire.

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5-17,5 / 20

le 31/05/2010

L'âge des vignes le nécessitant, l'Evangile a dû arracher une partie de ses très vieux cabernets francs. L'histoire dira si cette décision n'a pas été prématurée d'un an (encore fallait-il pouvoir prédire l'avenir!). L'assemblage comporte 95% de merlot (au lieu des 70-75% habituels). Très souple, tanins veloutés mais très présents en bouche.

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

par René Gabriel le 17/05/2010

Tiefes Purpur. Wuchtiges Bouquet, sehr reife rote Kirschen, Kaffeeröstnoten, recht wuchtig im Ansatz, mit einem zarten Vintage-Port- Schimmer. Am Gaumen Pralinen und Cassis im dichten, fleischigen Extrakt, dunkles Karamell im langen Finale, viel Rasse. Wirkt am Schluss klassischer als im ersten Naseneindruck. 2016-2033

Le Point

17,5 / 20

par Jacques Dupont le 06/05/2010

Nez réglisse, cassis, mûre, bouche moelleuse, large, dense, tanins moelleux, un peu de chaleur en finale mais l'ensemble est cohérent, équilibré, avec des tanins d'une grande douceur. O=2016 G=20 ans

TAST

18-18,5 / 20

par Bettane & Desseauve le 30/04/2010

Composé quant à lui de 95% de merlot, c'est un vin riche, ample, généreux en alcool mais sans lourdeur, d'une longueur très charnue, profonde terminant sur des notes très pures de fruits.

Wine Advocate

96-100 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/04/2010

The prodigious 2009 l’Evangile may be the greatest wine made at this estate during my 30+ years of tasting Bordeaux. Yields were 39 hectoliters per hectare, and the harvest was relatively long, with everything being picked at perfect maturity between September 11 and October 7. The estate is doing malolactic in barrel (a la Burgundy), and the final blend (95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc) achieved 14.5% natural alcohol. Amazingly, this cuvee is aged in 100% new oak barrels, yet no oak is present in the aromas or flavors. Readers should think of it as a better, richer, fuller, more alcoholic version of the 1982 l’Evangile. Dense, full-bodied, and opaque purple-hued, it boasts an extraordinary bouquet of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, and boysenberries. A blue and black mountain fruit character suggests coolness, but an intensity and voluptuous texture present the paradox of 2009. The wine has all the characteristics of a hot vintage in terms of power, texture, and richness as well as elements of a cool vintage in its precision, elegance, freshness, and vibrancy. Make no mistake about it, this is an enormous wine that is incredible to taste. Frankly, I could have drunk the entire barrel sample if it hadn’t been my first appointment of the day (at 8:15 a.m.)! This wine should drink well for 30-40 years. Bravo! (Tasted once.) Drink 2010-2050. (96-100*) points

Periodic Review of Wine

96-98 / 100

par Alan Duran le 28/04/2010

The deep ruby/purple colored l'Evangile has produced another noteworthy offering. Its fragrance boasts sensational notes of grilled meat, crème de cassis, blueberry, cherry liqueur, and crushed-stone/graphite. Itis rich in extravagant cherry liqueur and crème de cassis flavor. There is a full-body, density, expansive nuances, and wonderful purity. Underneath its tightly-knit structure dwells great depth to the lengthy finish. This is one of many extraordinary wines produced in this vintage. Maturity period 2016-2032+

Wine Spectator

96-99 / 100

par James Suckling le 09/04/2010

I love the aromas of black olive and blueberry, with mineral and light mint. Full-bodied, with supervelvety tannins. Superlong. This is dense and very beautiful, with such a great core of fruit. Silky texture. Not sure it is going to be better than 2005 (100 pointer!) but super.

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

par Jancis Robinson le 08/04/2010

39 hl/ha. 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Just a bit deeper than the Blason. Silky and subtle on the nose. Great richness and intensity. Firm line through it. Really up there. Great structure. Very firm and dry on the finish but not drying, Much more than just ripeness. Great density. Exotic and racy. Very long. Drink 2018-2035