L'If, St Emilion, 2017
Jacques Thienpont's St Emilion estate, L'If is situated next to Troplong Mondot above the Cote of St Emilion. This is the seventh vintage produced and it is beginning to present its own identity. Previous vintages have been exotic and intoxicating, but not always totally coherent. The 2017 displays a quiet authority and a real sense of identity. There is still plenty of silky perfumed liqueur fruit, mouth filling, ripe, refined and very engaging; the fruit is clear and vibrant with ample concentration and beautifully crafted tannins. The most complete example to date. Delicious! 91% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 14.2% vol, pH 3.52.
critic reviews
Composed of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 L'If is deep garnet-black. It sashays out of the glass with gregarious notes of black raspberries, redcurrant jelly, plum preserves, and clove oil, plus hints of potpourri, star anise, and underbrush. The medium-bodied palate is coated with elegantly styled, fragrant red and black berry flavors, framed by plush tannins and fantastic tension, finishing long and minerally.
The 2017 L’If is the sibling property to Le Pin since it is owned by Jacques Thienpont and Fiona Morrison. The wine has a voluminous dark cherry and cranberry scented bouquet with light iodine touches. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe red fruit, fine-boned tannins with moderate acidity. A gentle and caressing L’If that will drink earlier than the previous vintage and doubtless the following.
Blended of 91% Merlot with 9% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 L'If is deep garnet-purple in color, featuring beautiful crushed red cherries and black raspberries on the nose with underlying black plums, baking spices and roses notes plus a waft of Sichuan pepper. Medium-bodied with wonderfully elegant tannins and beautiful freshness, it has well-sustained mid-palate fruit and a long, earth-laced finish.