Skip to main
Justerini & Brooks logo
Personal cellar account icon
Mini Cart Icon
L'If, St Emilion
L'If

L'If, St Emilion, 2021

Available Vintages
all2011201320172018201920202021202220232024
justerini & brooks tasting note

Jacques explained that this was a "garage" wine (like the old days…). Years of work in the vineyard replanting better genetics and planting at a higher density are almost completed, so attention has turned to the winery. At the time of our visit there was no roof, so it was back to basics for the 2021 vinifications, but you wouldn't know it! Produced from 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc from five hectares next to Troplong Mondot and two smaller plots near Lassegue and Étienne-de-Lisse (all farmed organically), the L'If is initially more extrovert than Le Pin with notes of black mineral infused fruit, licorice, cassis and truffles. Texturally this is very smart with layers of seamless, taut dark fruit. One feels the limestone influence - there's a minerality and brightness that one associates with the Cote of St Emilion. The fruit is framed by velvety tannins and a refreshing spine of acidity.

critic reviews

93/100Lisa Perrotti-Brown,The Wine Independent

A blend of 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc, L’If 2021 is deep garnet-purple in color. It shoots from the glass with vibrant notes of fresh blueberries and redcurrants, leading to nuances of lilacs, licorice, and iron ore. The medium-bodied palate delivers exciting tension and wonderfully fine-grained tannins, with bright black and red berry flavors and a zippy finish.

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2036
date of review 04/2024
94/100Neal Martin,Vinous

The 2021 L'If was a winner out of barrel. In bottle? It blossoms in the glass with pure black cherry, iodine, wilted violet and oyster shell scents, gaining momentum in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. There is a fluidity in the L'If that I really like—very harmonious and poised, gradually building with gentle grip toward the finish and residual black pepper on the aftertaste. Excellent.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2050
date of review 02/2024
90/100Jane Anson,Inside Bordeaux

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 WINDOW 2026 - 2036
date of review 05/2022
92-94/100William Kelley,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

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 elevage, 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.

date of review 04/2022

product details

Country:
France
Region:
Bordeaux
Appellation:
St Emilion
Producer:
L'If
Style:
Red Wine
Grape Variety:
Merlot Cabernet
abv:
13%

you may also like

Shop All wines