Château L'Evangile, Pomerol, 2023
We tasted with Juliette Couderc, the new winemaker at Evangile, who arrived at the chateau in 2020 following a stint at Domaine de Long Dai (the Rothschild's estate in Shandong Province). This is the third vintage of organic conversion. The team did a green harvest in July and some de-leafing. Unfortunately, they did experience some sunburn on the east facing sides of the vines – requiring some sorting, with the remaining unblemished fruit used in Blason. The cooler and untroubled western facing bunches were used for the Grand Vin. The general quality at this estate has been on the up and 2023 represents the most cohesive and attractive iteration to date. Packed with aromas of fruit pastels, flowers and spices, there's a wonderful silky texture to the fruit. Floral and lifted, quite luxuriant, but refreshing, intense and very polished. The tannins provide a salty, sweet, finish. A really harmonious and refined Evangile cloaked in lovely dark, flowing fruits. Very smart!
critic reviews
The 2023 L'Évangile has an outstanding nose with copious black fruit, blood orange, hints of espresso and Italian mixed herbs unfolding in the glass. Very precise, and the oak is seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a keen line of acidity, harmonious and beautifully poised towards the finish that fans out with real panache. Wonderful. So great to see this Pomerol has its mojo back.
A fascinating exercise in terroir, as this shows the same alcohol as the Blason, but the density, fruit character and even the IPT (tannin) count are very different. You see the impact of clay soils in the building of the powerful architecture and the plush damson and black cherry fruits. There is density but tenderness to the tannins, with grilled caramel that gives a beautiful Pomerol signature. Violet floral edging arrives towards the finish, as things open up, and this is an impressive L'Evangile that can age with ease. 42hl/h yield, a record in recent years here. Certified organic since 2021. Great stuff from technical director Juliette Couderc.
A blend of 78% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 L’Evangile has a pH of 3.7. It is deep garnet-purple in color and on the nose oaky overtones soon give way to a core of baked plums, stewed black cherries, and mulberries, leading to suggestions of dried herbs, mossy tree bark, and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is lightly chewy, with soft acidity and savory accents to the black berry flavors, finishing with an herbal lift. The alcohol is 13.5%.
Wafting from the glass with deep aromas of dark berries, spices, licorice and petals, framed by a sweet patina of new oak, the 2023 L'Evangile is medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a textural attack that segues into a supple, integrated core that's framed by sweet, powdery tannins. It's a blend of 78% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, checking in at 13.5% alcohol, that was harvested between September 4 and 28.