Chateau l´Evangile 2024

JAMES SUCKLING: "Wow. This is really something for the vintage. Such a long finish, while being subtle and sophisticated with wonderfully silky tannins that are so fine and very long. It's medium-bodied with a beautiful, compact palate from the beginning to the end, including the mid-palate. The finish shows walnut, hazelnut and dark-chocolate character. Exceptional. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc."

WEINWISSER: "80 % Merlot, 19 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Aufgrund Verrieselung wurden nur 22 hl/ha geerntet. Verführerisches Elixier, Wildkirsche, Veilchenduft und schwarze Oliven. Am vibrierenden Gaumen mit tänzerischer Rasse, hochfein mit edlem, mineralischem Kern. Wird immer länger und endet mit einer nie dagewesenen Dynamik und einem Korb roter Kirschen im beeindruckenden Rückaroma. Der Wein besticht dieses Jahr durch eine unglaubliche tiefgründige Spannung. Für mich auf dem Niveau wie 2019 und 2020, kann die beiden Jahrgänge sogar noch überflügeln."

VINUM: "Rubinrot mit ziemlich dichtem Kern; feinduftig, tiefgründig, mit dunklen und roten Beeren, einer kräuterwürzigen Note sowie einem Hauch von Zartbitterschokolade, kandierte Orangen; am Gaumen delikat, der Wein baut aus, zeigt im Jahrgangskontext ordentlich Druck, die Tannine sind fein, die Säure nicht zu dominant, sehr gut proportioniert, mit eindrücklicher Länge und einem leicht herben Finale auf Blutorangen. Spielt sein Terroir in diesem schwierigen Jahr besonders gut aus."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Looking at the Grand Vin, the 2024 Château L'Evangile is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc aging in 50% new oak, 25% foudre, 8% in amphora, and the rest in used barrels. It's a smoking effort with a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a stunning Pomerol bouquet of red and blue fruits, damp earth, smoky tobacco, and lead pencil. Playing in the medium-bodied end of the spectrum, it's beautifully balanced, has a layered, elegant mid-palate, and ripe, firm, yet polished tannins. It's one hell of an impressive 2024!"

DECANTER: "Fragrant and dark, chocolate, vanilla, cherry, plum and liquorice scents with subtle floral notes too. Concentrated and sleek, this has a lovely texture and sense of completeness from the start. Tannins are very gently plump giving a round, almost filling expression with crystalline and pure black fruit and super fine, powdery almost mineral tannins. So well constructed, not shouting, but equally there’s nothing light about this wine. Sophisticated and really refined but still with power. They harnessed the natural power and leant into the vintage with delicacy and livelines. 3.65pH. A yield of 22hl/ha. No press wine. In organic."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Schwarze Kirschfrucht, Brombeerkonfit, kräuterwürziger Touch, individuelles Bukett. Kraftvoll, zart nach Nougat, reife, tragende, seidige Tannine, integrierte Säure, salziger Touch im Nachhall, dezente Extraktsüße im Rückgeschmack."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Flowers, chocolate, plums, licorice, and black cherries are already expressive. The wine is medium-bodied, fresh, and forward, with a light—and most importantly, charming—character. The wine finishes with Valrhona chocolate, plums, and a touch of salt, which comes through as the wine lingers. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13.5% ABV. The harvest took place September 18 - October 2. The wine is aging in a combination of 50% new, French oak, 8% amphora, and oak tanks. The Grand Vin was made from 60% of the harvest. Drink from 2029-2045."

ANSON: "Savoury plum, soft tannins, a touch of chalk, graphite, lovely fragrant florals, and extremely finessed. A wine that will age with grace. In the cellar, this was one of their longest macerations on record, up to 28 days, carefully measured, Harvest 18 September to 2 October, 22hl/h yield. Zero press wine, 45% new oak for ageing, plus 25% in large oak casks, 7% amphora. Juliette Couderc winermaker. Blason de l’Evangile is not being sold En Primeur."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2024 L'Evangile has turned out beautifully, reflecting this estate's recent evolution (refining barrel choices and integrating foudre into the cellar) and its comparatively young vineyard's propensity to perform well in years with minimal hydric stress. Offering up aromas of cassis and blackberries mingled with notions of violets and black tea, it's medium to full-bodied, lively and layered, with a velvety attack, good depth at the core and a persistent finish. This blend of 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon attained 13.5% alcohol."