Anson’s pick: the best of Château l’Evangile
Château L’Evangile, Pomerol 2005 99
£ 166.50 (ib)-£290 Corkr, Cru World Wine, Crump Richmond Shaw, Farr Vintners, Fine & Rare, Friarwood, Justerini & Brooks, Wilkinson Vintners 85% Franc, perfect this approaches Merlot, 70% growing new 15% oak. Cabernet perfection season, A near- and as it glides across the palate, with sweet fig and torrefied notes, salted caramel and saline. Utterly gorgeous. Could be drunk with huge pleasure right now – with an amazing balance and feather-like expression that lifts the whole thing up – but there’s no rush. Drink 2018-2038 Alcohol 13.5%
Château L’Evangile, Pomerol 2009 98
£ 250-£ 340 (ib) Berry Bros & Rudd, BI, Corney & Barrow, Crump Richmond Shaw, Farr Vintners, Fine & Rare, Grand Vin, Wilkinson Vintners 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. A vintage that managed to tick all the boxes set down by the Bordeaux oenology school for great years, even though it was a little too warm for true balance in some estates. Not here though, with flavours concentrated but not overly so. This has softened just slightly over the years, still showing an exotic, dark, spicy character and intense black fruits. Just getting going, but don’t feel the slightest urgency to open any bottles that you’re lucky enough to have. The tannins are still very present, even if they are like silk. Drink 2018-2040 Alc 13.5%
Château L’Evangile, Pomerol 1998 96
£ 159.75-£ 203.33 (ib) Christopher Keiller, Corkr, Cru World Wine, Crump Richmond Shaw, Fine & Rare, Vinum 72% Franc. Merlot, This has 24% real Cabernet depth of flavour and intensity that keep you gripped from start to finish. Near to its perfect drinking window. Amazing freshness at 20 years old; you can feel the flesh of the soft autumnal berry fruit given an edge by the curling cigar smoke. A true Right Bank vintage – and even more clearly a true Pomerol vintage. Drink 2018-2032 Alc 13% Château L’Evangile, Pomerol 2001 95 £ 109.92 (ib)-£ 203 Corkr, Cru World Wine, Crump Richmond Shaw, Hedonism, Nickolls & Perks 79% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc. A wine that unfolded fairly early in its life, and has remained at that deliciously appealing stage pretty much ever since. This is gorgeous, epitomising the idea of classic Pomerol – so juicy, with such wonderful ripe fruit expression and the torrefied coffee and cassis swirls that this property perfects so well. Mouthwatering Pomerol with the Lafite signature of drinkability. Not the easiest vintage, with a tough August that meant they had to harvest earlier than expected, but a highly accomplished result. Drink 2018-2035 Alc 13.5%
Château L’Evangile, Pomerol 2000 94
£ 267-£ 308 (ib) Christopher Keiller, Crump Richmond Shaw, Grand Vin, Wine Source 91% Needs Merlot, aerating 9% Cabernet and remains Franc. a touch closed, even after 17 years. Clearly displays the rich black fruit and sexy Pomerol swagger that you expect of such a big vintage, tempered by the delicacy of the winemaking at L’Evangile. This is a great wine, still young, with a long life ahead of it. Drink 2018-2035 Alc 13.5% Château L’Evangile, Pomerol 2012 92 £80 (ib)-£ 145 Albany Vintners, BI, Corkr, Crump Richmond Shaw, Davy’s, Farr Vintners, L’Assemblage, Lay & Wheeler, Millésima, Nickolls & Perks, Richard Kihl 93% easiest Merlot, vintage, 7% Cabernet yet the luscious Franc. fruit Not the is evident even on the nose. Concentrated and silky, with an intense cassis expression. Perhaps a little short compared to the best vintages, but the attack is very complete. Low Cabernet Franc because many replanted vines were still young at this point. Tasting great today but is not one to age for too long. One of the surprises of the tasting. Drink 2018-2030 Alc 14%