Château L'Evangile Pomerol 2011

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Distinct woody notes, mocha, and black fruits; powerful yet refined tannins; a long, full-bodied finish; elegant depth.

About the estate:

Located across from Cheval Blanc on the legendary Pomerol plateau, L’Évangile has a strong case to make: its 19 hectares are planted on deep soils of gravel mixed with clay and sand. The owner, Baron Éric de Rothschild, has equipped his Pomerol estate with state-of-the-art facilities that match the potential and reputation of this château. Small vats, in particular, allow for closer monitoring of the harvest and more precise blending. The vineyard restoration plan, involving the removal and replanting of vines, is ongoing. It will take at least a decade for this estate to fully express its potential. L’Évangile captivates with its vibrant energy, its generous bouquet of truffle, and its velvety texture of great refinement, offering an elegant dimension without being overpowering. This leading Pomerol has reached a new level of quality since 2004 and has produced superb vintages since 2009. More supple, the second wine, Le Blason, offers a way to enjoy Pomerol without breaking the bank. 2018 promises to be exceptional!

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A very dry winter and spring (barely 150 mm of rain over the first five months of the year—a record), with extremely hot Aprils, Mays, and Junes and a particularly early bloom, starting as early as early May—another unprecedented occurrence. July was less sunny, giving the vines a chance to rest a bit before an even more scorching August. The result: a harvest carried out two weeks earlier than normal, with beautiful, rich, and dense grapes, but in small quantities due to the lack of rain during the summer. In the glass? A very dark Pomerol, a foretaste of a rich and powerful wine. The generous nose opens with notes of cooked cherry, sweet spices, and mocha. This richness (stewed fruit accented with licorice and violet) is reflected in a full-bodied, dense palate that is both fleshy and tight, yet always elegant, supported by tannins extracted with finesse and precision. Undoubtedly a wine with great aging potential.

About the estate:

Founded in the mid-18th century, when it was known as Fazilleau, the estate was renamed L'Évangile in the early 19th century. At that time, it covered 13 hectares, an area close to its current size (15 hectares). The first turning point in its history occurred during the Second Empire with its purchase by Paul Chaperon, who built the château and quickly established its reputation by harnessing the qualities of a terroir that is both highly distinctive and well-balanced, featuring very pure clays, sands, and gravel on a subsoil rich in iron-rich clay. L'Évangile was sold to the Rothschilds in 1990, marking a second major turning point for this estate, which then benefited from significant investments and the expertise of its director, Charles Chevallier, who handed the reins to Éric Kohler in 2015.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The flagship wine, the 2011 Évangile, displays a deep ruby color with violet hues, along with notable acidity; it is refined, lively, and elegant, with medium body, red and black fruit notes, fine tannins, and a fresh, vibrant palate. It is a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Expected drinking window: 2015–2025.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Ideally situated between Pétrus and Cheval Blanc, L’Évangile—majority-owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)—has undergone a major restructuring and a comprehensive overhaul of its vineyards in recent years, including, among other things, the acquisition of new plots. The results of this significant work led by Jean-Pascal Vazart and his team are evident in the quality of the wines, and the latest vintages produced place the estate at the very top of the appellation. 2018, a particularly challenging year from a viticultural standpoint, marked the vineyard’s transition to organic farming.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Full-bodied, rich, and opulent, this wine offers depth, concentration, and notes of ripe Merlot. Its structure is also evident thanks to the wine’s dark intensity, with spices and dark chocolate complementing the powerful fruit. Best enjoyed starting in 2017.