CHÂTEAU L'ÉVANGILE

There will only be around 3,000 cases of this wine in 2010 because of the exceedingly small yields, but those who secure one can count themselves extremely fortunate. Richly coloured, sumptuously perfumed, this is a sleek Pomerol with mouth-filling fruit flavours, plush tannins and creamy, almost exotic fruit flavours. A wine for unashamed hedonists. 15+ years. Rating: 98 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2011)

As I have been predicting, the Rothschilds are pushing l’Evangile to the highest level of the Pomerol hierarchy. Composed of 88.8% Merlot and 11.2% Cabernet Franc, the 2010 achieved 14.7% alcohol naturally, making it one of the few 2010s with lower alcohol than its 2009 counterpart (the 2009 had 15% alcohol and the 2008 had 14.5%). Most of that is due to the superb ripeness and the high concentration of Merlot in 2010. The berries were extremely tiny and the drought and cool nights in August and September gave the 2010 a lower pH and higher acidity than the 2009. For example, the 2010's pH is 3.7, the 2009's is higher and in 2000 it was 4.0. The dense purple-colored 2010 exhibits massive levels of black raspberries, Asian plum sauce, truffles and cassis. The wine is unctuously textured and remarkably fresh with a weighty richness (much like the 2009) but greater delineation. A marvelous effort, it, along with the 2009, may turn out to be one of the two greatest wines made by l’Evangile. The 2010 should drink well young yet last for three decades or more. 2011-2041 Drinking range: 2011 - 2041 Rating: 96-98 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (May 2011)

Harvested at 31hl/ha, usually 39 hl/ha. The alcohol is 14.7%, the pH 3.75. Rather difficult to see even the colour of this wine in this rather dim cellar. It has a rather bold and forward nose, very direct, with lots of plum and damson fruit, with a honeyed concentration. Lovely density on the palate, quite pure and defined, rather more solid and upright than Vieux Chateau Certan and Église-Clinet - just tasted - which have a touch more elegance to them. The tannins are firm but very well managed and quite appropriate for the wine, which has a building substance in the midpalate. Lots of texture and extract here, but still with a very upright frame. The tannins are well covered by the copious plum and damson fruit. There is a fresh quality to this fruit, with a firm, fruit-skin character rather than the more creamy character many wines show. Indeed, this is appealingly tannic with a bitter grip. Very structured and a long, spicy tannic finish here. Rating: 17-18/20 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2011)

A blend of 88.8% Merlot and 11.2% Cabernet Franc, the l’Evangile was cropped between 21st September and 12th October and delivers a healthy 14.7% alcohol and a 3.7pH. Yields were just 31hl/ha due to coulure affected the Merlot. It has a very deep ruby colour. The nose is quite precocious yet still very well defined with blackberry, bilberry, a touch of limestone. The palate is full-bodied, sinewy, multi-dimensional with layers ripe red-berried fruits: pomegranate and raspberry with just a touch of spice. Symmetrical and very focused, perhaps without the swagger of the 2009. It is a forceful Pomerol at the moment, but at the same time intriguing and cerebral. Warning: this might blow you away after bottling. Rating: 96-98 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2011)

(89% merlot and 11% cabernet franc; 3.75 pH; 14.7% alcohol) Opaque purple-ruby. Deep, rich aromas of black plum, violet, licorice and chocolate. Extremely broad and impressively large-scaled, with almost shocking sweetness to the jammy red and black fruit flavors. This huge, extract-rich Pomerol comes across as dense and luscious, but may prove almost too much for some wine lovers. The long finish features refined, smooth tannins. I did not get to taste the estate's second wine this year, Blason d'Evangile, as only 6,000 bottles were made and it won't be offered en primeur Rating: 92-95 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2011)

Very dark crimson indeed. Very very sweet. Sweet and rich and full and extremely lush and flattering. Very smart and long and rich. Purity was the aim. Sweet start but lots of tannin and firmness. A wine I would really relax with. Long and relaxing and a bit like a massage. Their reconstruction aimed to increase the Cabernet Franc. Dry finish but so calming and charming. They have introduced some organic methods in the vineyard and replaced old vines. 14.7% but 3.75 pH. 14.7% 2018-2032 Drinking range: 2018 - 2032 Rating: 18 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2011)

Dense and opulent, as is the style, but very refined. Full-bodied, succulent with a rich concentration of fruit. Powerful but with more apparent freshness than the excellent '09. Beautifully textured - tannins velvety and smooth. Long, clean finish. Drink 2020-2040. Drinking range: 2020 - 2040 Rating: *****18.5 James Lawther MW, decanter.com (Apr 2011)

What a nose, with orange peel, dark berries and blueberries. Full and bright , with super velvety tannins. Acidity is juicy too. Very sumptuous. Creamy tannin texture. 88 percent Merlot and 22 percent Cabernet Franc. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2011)

The wine shows the power and depth of the Right Bank in 2010, with ample layers of gorgeous raspberry ganache, fig and boysenberry fruit—all liberally laced with fruitcake and graphite. It’s super racy, with Linzer and red licorice taking over the finish, and it just gets bigger and bigger as it sits in the glass. Rating: 94-97 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Mar 2011)