The 2014 L'Evangile comes racing out of the blocks on the nose with plenty of black cherry, blueberry, cold stone and black truffle scents, quintessentially Pomerol with impressive delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly grainy texture, lovely black fruit here laced with Earl Grey, spice and sage, quite intense and fanning out gloriously towards the long finish. This seems to have gained precision after bottling and I did warn that it may merit a higher score. This is a deeply impressive L'Evangile that might challenge Lafite-Rothschild in the long term. Chapeau!
The blackberry, mushroom and oyster-shell character really comes out. Full body and flavors of dark chocolate, walnuts and concentrated berries. Structured. Bitter-chocolate aftertaste. Try drinking in 2022.
Big, bold and ripe, this is a rich wine with its 82% Merlot. It is jammy while keeping its tannins and structure. Ripe and full in the mouth, the wine is firm enough to age for a long time. It is going to be generous, full and ripe. Drink from 2025.
This alluring red features velvety tannins carrying notes of crushed plum, warm blackberry preserves and dark licorice, gaining muscle through the charcoal-scored finish. There's a deep tug of warm earth throughout, and this needs a little time to stretch out. Best from 2020 through 2030. 3,500 cases made.
Seriously potent and fragrant on the nose, floral aromas and dark fruits. Feels a little pushed from the nose alone. Relatively round and balanced on the palate, a thicker texture than some, not chewy but grippy thick tannins settle around the mouth and this carries a confident style, not too acidic, it's more calm, but still has persistence and harmony. Not the most layered, but what is there is really quite enjoyable. Will be great with food and will still last longer. If anything it does feel a little ripe and over-extracted, but seems to settling down nicely with soft spice and wet stones on the finish. Feels like it once was a bit of a beast, but it's now calming.
A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc from the team at Rothschild, the 2014 L’Evangile is a ripe, sexy effort that gives up lots of cassis and black raspberry fruits, toasty oak, Asian spices, and chocolate. A wine that gains depth and richness with time in the glass, it offers medium to full-bodied richness, a silky, expressive style, and sweet tannin, all making for a seductive, impossible to resist Pomerol. This beauty hit 14% natural alcohol, so it’s no lightweight, yet it lacks the depth and density of the 2015. Drink this impressive 2014 anytime over the coming 15-20 years.
The 2014 L'Évangile is laced with black cherry, torrefaction, spice, leather, licorice and heavy French oak. It will be interesting to see if the fruit emerges here. Today, the oak is quite dominant in both the wine's flavor profile and its texture. I would like to think a little more nuance is possible given L'Évangile's neighborhood.
Winery Notes
Dark, almost black colour, with hints of purple. Dense, powerful, expressive, very ripe, concentrated nose with notes of Morello cherries, raspberries and toast. The attack is full, generous and dense with very silky tannins and great depth. The palate is long, rich and concentrated with a very creamy finish, remaining supple due to a delightful freshness.