Château l'Évangile 2009

Falstaff

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

If you are a fan of L'Evangile and Pomerol, and of course, the disposable income, you cannot have enough of this magical elixir. This is bottled hedonism at its best. Opulent, expressive, aromatic, and sensuous, the wine offers layers of seductively-textured fruit, silky tannins, and a creamy, luxurious finish packed with truffles and layers of chocolate-coated plums and black cherries that seemingly do not want to quit. And this is just getting started, with its best days starting maybe5 years from now. Drink from 2023-2050.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

An astonishing effort from the Rothschild family, the 2009 l’Evangile may be the reference point offering from this estate for decades to come. A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new oak, with 15% natural alcohol, it exhibits a sumptuous bouquet of caramels, black raspberry liqueur, blackberries, violets, graphite and truffles. Thick, viscous flavors are reminiscent of such super-ripe vintages as 1982, 1959, 1949 and 1947. The striking aromatics, massive, full-bodied mouthfeel and multilayered palate that resembles a skyscraper in the mouth offer an abject lesson in great winemaking, extraordinary terroir, and the ability to combine power with precision, elegance and freshness. This is unquestionably a huge wine, but it also possesses mindboggling complexity and finesse. Because of its sheer extract and velvety personality, it will be drinkable in 4-5 years, and will keep for four decades or more where well-stored. The most profound L’Evangile ever made?