CHÂTEAU L'IF
2018 Grand Cru Saint Emilion
| Grapes | Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot |
| Colour | Red |
| Origin | France, Bordeaux |
| Sub-district | Saint Emilion & Satellites |
| Village | Saint Emilion |
| Classification | Grand Cru |
| ABV | 13.5% |
74% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc. 50% new oak. 7,000 bottles produced. No problem with mildew here. Enticing nose - very serious. The fruit is defined and supported nicely by the oak. Supple on entry. Blackcurrant and some leafy notes from the Cabernet Franc on the palate. Not dense or fat. The wine is balanced and very well put together. A real charmer. Drinking range: 2030 - 2050 L&S (Apr 2019)
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The 2018 L’If, which sees 50% new oak and 50% one-year-old wood, has a disarmingly lovely bouquet that veers more toward red fruit than black, offering raspberry and wild strawberry, hoisin and light marmalade aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and quite saline on the entry, with good tension from beginning to end. Harmonious and almost understated toward the finish, it leaves light white pepper and sage notes on the aftertaste. This is an excellent L’If that should give 12–15 years of drinking pleasure. Drinking range: 2023 - 2035 Rating: 92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Mar 2021)
The 2018 L'If is super-impressive, even if it comes across as a bit restrained today. Ultimately, that energy will serve it well. Dark and sensual, with striking aromatic presence and fabulous balance, the 2018 dazzles from start to finish. Dark cherry, plum, spice, new leather, menthol and mocha all build in the glass. The 2018 is bold, sumptuous and full of energy. I can't wait to see how it ages. What a wine. Drinking range: 2028 - 2048 Rating: 97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Mar 2021)
Aromas of black cherries, blueberries, licorice, dried lavender, nutmeg and grated milk chocolate. Pure raspberries, walnut husks and crushed peppercorns as well. It’s full-bodied with firm, racy tannins that go on for minutes. So sleek and polished with a long finish. Really amazing and perhaps the best wine ever from here. Same ownership as the legendary Le Pin from Pomerol. Slightly more cabernet franc (30% instead of 20%) in the blend may have made the difference. The rest is merlot. Clearly the best wine ever from here, since the official first vintage 2011. Try from 2026. Drinking range: 2026 - Rating: 99 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Jan 2021)
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RELATED PRODUCTS
2011 CHÂTEAU CANON 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion
Right Bank Bordeaux France 13.5% Red
Cabernet Franc, Merlot.
An evident delicacy to the tannins, this is rippling with flavour and definitely moreish, but the austerity of the vintage is evident, meaning it is subtle and lightly-structured rather than generous. Plenty of sappy fru...(read more)
Jane Anson, Decanter
2019 CHÂTEAU TOUR SAINT CHRISTOPHE Grand Cru Saint Emilion
Bordeaux France 13% Red
Cabernet Franc, Merlot.
The 2019 Tour Saint Christophe is a fabulous wine that marries fruit intensity and structure. Black cherry, graphite, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and spice give this driving, potent Saint-Émilion tons of charac...(read more)
Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.comORDER COLLECT
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