CHÂTEAU L'IF

One of the absolute stars of the vintage in St-Emilion. Smells incredible with such perfumed violet fragrance and clear blackcurrant scents, really so vivid with a vibrant pink colour in the glass. Supple and juicy, clearly refined from the start with super fine tannins – gently grippy – with a lick of liquorice, wet stone and some tobacco and dark chocolate. I like the clarity and clean grip to this. Feels fresh, so St-Emilion and so limestone based with fantastic energy, a touch chalky but not dominant. Alive with enough grip and flesh to be weighty but really not fleshy or chewy, and very cool – cola, blueberries and flint. Delicious and accomplished with everything in harmony and nothing sticking out. This should shape up nicely over ageing with even a few minutes in the glass gaining in chew and texture. Harvest 11-19 September. 3.28pH. Ageing currently 50% new oak (may reduce to around 40%). Drinking range: 2032 - 2047 Rating: 97 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (Apr 2026)

Medium- to full-bodied and chalky but charming, with definition and clarity. 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc. Best ever. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2026)

The 2025 L'If was picked from September 11 to 19 and matured in 50% new French oak and 50% one-year-old barrels. This vintage contains a little more Cabernet Franc (25%). A mélange of red and blueberry fruit on the nose, hints of iris flower and just a hint of blood orange. Fine definition, quite understated in style. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy tannins on the entry, citrus-fresh and the limestone element shapes the profile on the finish. Bright acids, very tensile. It will be fascinating to revisit this L'If after bottling. Drinking range: 2030 - 2050 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)