CHATEAU L'EVANGILE Pomerol 2021 Bottle

Description

The 2021 L’Évangile has garnered outstanding acclaim, earning 97 points from James Suckling for its complex aromas of black cherries, chocolate, and violets, complemented by hints of nutmeg and hazelnuts. This medium to full-bodied wine features fine, polished tannins that develop beautifully, culminating in a seamless finish. Vinous awarded it 96 points, praising its deep, sensual character and the benefits of biodynamic farming, highlighted by sharply reduced yields that enhance quality. The Wine Advocate rated it 94 points, noting its aromas of dark cherries, licorice, and truffle, with a fleshy palate and sweet, powdery tannins. Decanter also scored it 94 points, emphasising its concentrated nose, plump fruit, and lingering chalky finish, showcasing impressive ageing potential.

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Château L'Évangile is a prestigious wine estate located in the Pomerol appellation of Bordeaux, renowned for producing exquisite and sought-after wines. Established in the 18th century, it spans approximately 14 hectares of meticulously cared-for vineyards, predominantly planted with Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. The estate's terroir, characterised by its gravel and clay soils, contributes to the wine's signature richness and complexity. Château L'Évangile is celebrated for its elegant, full-bodied style, often exhibiting deep fruit flavours, velvety tannins, and a harmonious balance that allows for graceful ageing. The estate consistently receives high scores from critics, with many vintages lauded for their depth and finesse. As a result, Château L'Évangile remains a coveted selection for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

JAMES SUCKLING 97 points
Complex and subtle aromas of black cherries, chocolate and violets with hints of nutmeg and hazelnuts that open to a medium to full body, with fine and polished tannins that integrate nicely then grow beautifully at the end. 69% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon. Better to be patient and taste after 2027.

VINOUS 96 points
The 2021 L’Évangile is one of the triumphs of the year, especially considering L'Évangile is now farmed biodynamically. Sharply reduced yields—20 hectoliters-per-hectare versus upper 30s for the rest of the appellation—produced a deeply sensual wine. The 2021 spent 18 months in barrel, 40% new (significantly lower than in the past), with 15% of the wine aged in terra cotta. Those are only details though. What is most encouraging about L'Évangile is how far the property has come in the last few years. Superb. The 2021 L'Évangile is a model of contemporary excellence. It marries classicism with modern approaches to farming and winemaking. - Antonio Galloni

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Drink Date: 2027 - 2045
Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark cherries and berries mingled with notions of licorice, black truffle, rose petal and iris, the 2021 L'Evangile is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a broad and textural attack that segues into a charming, succulent mid-palate framed by sweet, powdery tannins. This saw only two rackings, and some 15% matured in amphora, with the rest in barriques that are less toasty than in the past; the result of these and other initiatives is a much more timeless expression of this property. Bottled in May 2023.
Published: Feb 08, 2024

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle
(at Bordeaux, 01 Apr 2022)
Part of Best Pomerol 2021 wines tasted en primeur
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2045
Smells concentrated and quite bold, more of a heady nose, dark fruits and gorgeous perfumed Cabernet aspects. Succulent and juicy, a really appealing and charming palate, juiciness but density too, you get plump fruit here rather than a piercing focus giving more of a mouthful than some others but still with a detail to the fine tannins, the ripe fruit, cherry and blackcurrant and plum with a long finish. Sustained on the palate, this doesn't let up, slowly building from start to finish giving a cool, delicate, refined palate but still with grippy maintaining attention. You can tell they got full ripeness here, but there's also this lovely cooling, slate aspect - the soft chalkiness that comes in on the finish. I like this - the initial intensity, directness of black fruit and then the chalk texture. Feels nicely complete and one of the larger, more dense wines this vintage. A yield of 20hl/ha with all the Cabernet Sauvignon going into the grand vin. Juliette Couderc technical director. First year certified organic.