CHÂTEAU L'IF
2021 Grand Cru Saint Emilion
| Grapes | Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc |
| Colour | Red |
| Origin | France, Bordeaux |
| Sub-district | Saint Emilion & Satellites |
| Village | Saint Emilion |
| Classification | Grand Cru |
| ABV | 13.5% |
A blend of 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 L'If shows considerable potential, and if it evolves as well as I suspect it will during élevage, it may make my score seem conservative. Offering up aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with loamy soil, black truffles and sweet forest floor, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, with velvety tannins and a bright spine of acidity, concluding with a long, saline finish. Rating: 92-94 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)
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79 Merlot, 21 Cabernet Franc | 50% new oak | 13.5% alc | 3.61 pH Clean, precise, mineral-drenched and chiselled, 2021 L’If is an arresting wine in 2021 with beautifully expressive fruit and a bright, crunchy finish. There is admirable depth here, and under the purple exterior, an adroit and firm set of black fruit notes stand perfectly to attention. While the finish is tart, it will propel this wine forwards successfully for a good decade and more, and it is already set to be a noteworthy vintage for this fascinating property. Rating: 17.5 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Jun 2022)
Cyrille Thienpont is in charge here, and he has teased out attractive blueberry fruits, along with graphite, pencil lead and gunsmoke. Chalky tannins reflect the clay-limestone soils, this is full of pleasure, even while austerity is gripping the finish. Highest percentage of Cabernet Franc to date, after including recent plantings. 50% new oak. Harvest October 2 to 16. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 90 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2022)
A serious and saline red with blue fruit, cloves, iodine and black licorice. Oyster shells, too. Medium to full bodied with fine, firm tannins that run the length of the wine. Focused. 79% merlot and 21% cabernet franc. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2022)
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RELATED PRODUCTS
2011 CHÂTEAU CANON 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion
Right Bank Bordeaux France 13.5% Red
Merlot, Cabernet Franc.
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
Merlot, Cabernet Franc.
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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