Chateau L'Evangile 2018
-
Suckling
James - Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Enthusiast
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
It is impossible not to mention the mildew problem, when we had been working so hard to build a viticulture without residues and with high environmental responsibility. Thanks to extremely meticulous work, our team was able to restore ideal conditions in the vineyard before ripening. The effect of the heat was even stronger here than on the other bank, with ripening blocked for some young vines at the end of summer. We were saved by the 25 mm of rain on 7 September. Our greatest pride in 2018, even if our heart is still beating for Merlot. The excellent quality of our Cabernet Franc.
Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Organically grown
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
So attractive on the nose with blackberry, black olive and a hint of brown sugar. It’s full-bodied with layers of ripe tannins that flow across the palate. Rich, intense and flavorful finish with flavors similar to the aromas. Fleshy and toned at the end. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2025.
-
Decanter
You feel the density and power straight off the nose here - this is really silky, sexy and smoky wine with a ton of complex flavours combining berry fruits with spices swirling through, and finishing up with liquorice bean and coffee grounds on the finish. There’s less lift perhaps than the 2016, but you feel the concentration, the depth to the flavour, and the balance. It has a beautiful texture and feels very classically Pomerol but with elegance and persistency. A small production in 2018 but a very beautiful one. 75% new oak used.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 L'Evangile is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes barreling out of the glass with explosive scents of boysenberries, stewed plums and baked blackberries with hints of lilacs, candied violets, Indian spices and garrigue, plus a touch of black truffles. Full-bodied, rich and powerful in the mouth, this blockbuster coats the palate with layers of black fruit preserves and exotic spices, framed by plush tannin's and wonderful energy, finishing long and savory. Decadently approachable now, give it 4-5 years in bottle for maximum impact and drink it over the next 20+ years.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Made in the more lively, elegant style that seems to be favored these days, the 2018 Château L'Evangile is based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with the Cabernet Franc playing a much more lead role than normal. Beautiful blue fruits, green tobacco, violets, white truffle, camphor, and damp earth notes all flow to a gorgeously layered, full-bodied Pomerol with sweet, silky tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. While I prefer the more opulent renditions of this cuvée, this is nevertheless a brilliant wine that has wonderful concentration, beautiful purity of fruit, and the class to evolve for 25-30 years in cold cellars. Rating: 97+
-
Wine Enthusiast
Owned by the Rothschild family of Lafite-Rothschild, this estate has produced a richly delicious wine. The power of Merlot is tempered and perfumed by ripe Cabernet Franc. Tannins and acidity both point to aging potential. The wine’s weight, cut with black fruits, is just right and well in balance. This wine needs time, so drink from 2027.
Other Vintages
2022-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James - Decanter
-
Dunnuck
Jeb
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb
-
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine - Decanter
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
-
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine - Decanter
-
Parker
Robert
-
Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine - Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Spectator
Wine - Decanter
-
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Suckling
James
-
Spectator
Wine -
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Suckling
James
-
Parker
Robert -
Wong
Wilfred -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Spirits
Wine &
-
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine
The property was known as “Fazilleau” until the mid 18th century, and soon after, became famous under its present denomination “Chateau L’Evangile”. The 35 acres vineyard is grouped around the Chateau on clay-based gravel. By one of those curious mysteries of Bordeaux soil, a long strip of gravel appears in the middle of the Pomerol Plateau, mixing with the local clay. The wines of this soil have been well known since the poet Ausonius sang their praise. The vines, on average, are 30 years old. Indeed Blason de L’Evangile, the second label of Chateau L’Evangile, is selected from vats of the “Grand Vin” Chateau L’Evangile, it features characteristics similar to those of the “Grand Vin”, but with lesser potential for ageing as its ageing in barrels is much shorter. Its name comes from the former owners who used their emblem. It must be drunk younger than its more robust counterpart. The Léglise family from Libourne founded the property that was to become Chateau L’Évangile. They were actively involved, around the middle of the 18th century, in the creation of Pomerol’s vineyards. L’Évangile appeared in the 1741 land registry under the name of Fazilleau.
At the turn of the 19th century, the estate was already close to its current configuration, stretching over some 13 hectares, when it was sold to a lawyer named Isambert. He renamed the estate “L’Évangile”. In 1862, L’Évangile was purchased by Paul Chaperon, whose descendants, the Ducasse family, remained the property’s owners until 1990. Paul Chaperon continued to build the estate’s reputation and constructed L’Évangile’s residence in the style of the Second Empire. In the second edition of Cocks Féret in 1868, L’Évangile is listed as a “Premier Cru du Haut-Pomerol”.
Upon the death of Paul Chaperon in 1900, his descendants ran the estate until 1957, when Louis Ducasse took over the property, which was by then in decline and had been damaged by the frost in 1956. He managed to replant the vineyard and eventually restored L’Évangile to its former glory. In 1982, his widow, Simone Ducasse, continued the family’s role in running the estate.
In 1990, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) acquired L’Évangile from the Ducasse family with a view to ensuring that the property was looked after to the same high standard. DBR (Lafite)’s initial influence included a more refined selection of the Grand Vin, and the creation of Blason de L’Évangile as a second wine. Efforts were also undertaken to improve the vineyard with a restoration and partial renewal plan that was launched in 1998. The complete renovation of the vat room and the cellar, which was finished in 2004, completed the property’s new configuration.