94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc

Neal Martin: 92-94, James Suckling: 91, Robert Parker: 88-90

Neal Martin: Tasted en primeur at the property with Jean-Pascal Vazart. The L'Evangile 2011 is a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc picked between 6th with the young vines and 21st September and 19th to 21st September respectively cropped at 32hl/ha. It has 13.6 degrees alcohol and a pH of 3.7, an IPT of 76. As usual, this cru is always taciturn at first and so I leave my sample for a few minutes before writing any notes. It has a voluptuous, sensual bouquet with pure vanillary red berry fruit that reminds me of the 1995. The palate is medium-bodied with a nubile texture with supple toasty red fruit that is struck through with crisp acidity and a fine coca-tinged off-dry finish that displays persistency and a pastille-like residual sweetness. Tasted April 2012.