L'Evangile Pomerol 2022
96 Points! A seductive and sculpted wine, leaning into the vintage’s glamour and richness. The nose is deep and heady, filled with violets, dark chocolate, blackcurrants, and espresso. The palate is glossy and rich, with a juicy, shiny black fruit core, balanced by fine, slightly bloody tannins. There’s an undercurrent of freshness, with a minty lift and a touch of creaminess that enhances the plush texture. Toasted wood notes still need time to integrate, but this is smooth, seductive, and beautifully structured. A wine of depth, polish, and lasting finesse. Ageing 45% new oak, 10% foudre, 15% amphora. 3.88pH. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter Magazine
95 Points! The 2022 L'Evangile was picked at 30hL/ha. It is aged in 50% new oak sourced from four coopers plus two recently introduced foudres. There are similarities with neighboring Cheval Blanc on the nose as if it's holding something back in a good way. Beautifully defined, dark berry fruit, crushed stone and bay leaf aromas are succinct and not showy. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth, velvety entry. There's plenty of rondeur, nicely judged acidity, pliant tannins (more than Cheval Blanc?) and pure with a dab of white pepper and clove. Classic in style. A touch of desiccated orange rind appears on the aftertaste that was apparently there during the fermentation. Very harmonious on the finish. This is a lovely, discrete Pomerol from an estate moving in the right direction - fast. 14.3% alcohol. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media
96 Points! The 2022 L'Évangile is seriously impressive right out of the gate, dark, rich and enveloping. Dark-fleshed fruit, mocha, spice, leather and a kiss of new oak race across the palate. Texturally, the 2022 is gorgeous. One of the recent changes here (since the 2021 vintage) has been a reduction of wine that undergoes malolactic in barrel, from 100% down to 60-70%. More than anything, the 2022 impresses with its gorgeous inner sweetness and exceptional balance. In short, the 2022 is a classic Évangile. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
96 Points! A classic Evangile from a hot and great vintage with black olives, cedar and brambleberries. Medium-bodied, it has balance and refinement, a solid core of fruit and a sophisticated and polished mouthfeel. The finish is very long, increasing with precision. A graceful and age-worthy wine. - JamesSuckling.com
96 Points! The Grand Vin 2022 Château L'Evangile is more serious and concentrated, with beautiful red and black fruits interwoven with truffly earth, tobacco, and savory, floral, spicy nuances on the nose. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, voluptuous, round, sexy L'Evangile that has soft, supple tannins, beautiful overall balance, and a mix of both richness and elegance. It's not massive and is already hard to resist, yet it should have 30 years of longevity. - Jeb Dunnuck
The history of Château L’Evangile is first of all linked to the Léglise family, originally from Libourne. It is from the eighteenth century that they participate actively in the constitution of this vineyard of Pomerol. However, it is only in the 19th century that the Château L’Evangile is named thanks to its new owner: Isambert, lawyer of formation. In 1862, the Château enters the Ducasse family by Paul Chaperon, and will remain there until 1990. It is thanks to this man that the Château L’Evangile will raise its notoriety. From the second edition of Cocks Féret in 1868, L’Evangile is listed and considered a “Premier Cru of Haut-Pomerol”. On his death in 1900, his heirs continued his passion until 1956 when the vineyard is in decline because of strong frosts.
Louis Ducasse, then his widow Simone, will make him regain its acclaim in 1957 and until 1990, when Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) acquire the domain of the Ducasse family. The influence of DBR (Lafite) is reflected first of all by a more refined selection of the great wine and the creation of the Blason de L’Évangile as the second wine. The effort also concerns the state of health of the vines with a restoration plan and partial renewal initiated since 1998. Finally, the complete renovation of the vat and cellars completed in 2004 allowed the estate to finalize its new configuration. From 1995 to 2005, it is a decade of remarkable vintages that crowned this work.
The terroir of Château L’Evangile occupies a privileged position as it is bordered on the north by the vineyards of Château Pétrus and is separated, to the south, from Cheval Blanc only by a secondary road. Also, the surface of the vineyard is 22 hectares of sandy-clay soil with pure gravel and subsoil marked with iron dirt. The grape variety is divided between 80% of Merlot that bring the fruit and 20% of “Bouchet”, local name of Cabernet Franc which bring finesse and structure. Château L’Evangile is a limited production (5000 boxes), the harvests are manual and the techniques used are quite traditional. Fermentation is done in tanks with pumping over and controlled maceration. Then the wine is aged in oak barrels for 18 months.
| Color | Red |
|---|---|
| DEC Score | 96 |
| JD Score | 96 |
| JS Score | 96 |
| NM Score | 95 |
| LPB | 96 |
| VM Score | 96 |
| Grapes | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintages | 2022 |
| Sizes | 750ml |
