L'If, St Emilion, 2024
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
Deep garnet-purple colored. Needs a little shaking to wake up notes of black raspberries & kirsch, followed by hints of dusty soil, dried herbs, and crushed rocks. The light to medium-bodied palate is lively and fresh with zippy red berry flavors and fine-grained tannins, finishing with a fruity lift.
The 2024 L'If was picked from October 4 to 6 for the Merlot, then October 8 for the Cabernet Franc. It aged for 12 to 16 months in 50% new oak. This has a fragrant bouquet, with mainly red fruit and slate-like scents. The palate is medium-bodied and balanced, with slightly chalky tannins and a little flesh on the mid-palate. Lightly spiced on the finish, this is a comparatively straightforward L'If compared to previous vintages that will serve as a fine earlier drinking Saint-Émilion.
Love the aromatics here, and vibrant ruby colour, this is a real success and bright spot in the vintage, one to look out for, fragrant, tomato leaf, peony, lilac, raspberry fruits, lots of energy and delicate juice, not a powerhouse but skilful and early to medium drinking. 3.37 ph. Harvest 4 to 8 October, really held on to push for maturity. 30% new oak, even after sorting they are at 39hl/h yield here on these clay-limestone soils. Touch of chaptilsation and saignée, showing that even with waiting til October to harvest these things were needed.
Aromas of raspberries, bay leaf, petals and licorice introduce the 2024 L'If, a medium-bodied, supple and lively wine built around a tangy spine of acidity and concluding with a discreetly herbal finish. It's a blend of Merlot with 15% Cabernet Franc.