2017 Evangile

The 2017 L'Évangile, 100% Merlot for this first time, is just as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel. Dark, sumptuous and wonderfully inviting, the 2017 has so much to offer. Dark fruit, spice, mocha, leather and licorice infuse the 2017 with notable depth. Time in the glass brings out lovely aromatic top notes that add freshness. A rapturously beautiful wine, L'Évangile is stellar. Frost wiped out half of the potential crop, including all of the Cabernet Franc, which means the Grand Vin is 100% Merlot. Technical Director Jean Pascal Vazart opted for gentle pumpovers and longer extractions than normal.

All of the Cabernet Franc was frosted in 2017, so L'Evangile is composed of 100% Merlot for the first time. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 L'Evangile is a little closed to begin, offering glimpses at blueberry preserves, baked plums and black raspberries scents before revealing nuances of spice cake, cinnamon stick, dusty soil and garrigue plus a waft of incense. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a lot of richness and depth, with firm, ripe, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy.

The 2017 L’Evangile is 100% Merlot since frost denied the estate its usual Cabernet Franc. It has a refined bouquet with raspberry and blackcurrant fruit, touches of undergrowth and crushed stone, and floral scents that emerge with time. Yet, I still miss the contribution of the Cabernet Franc. Likewise, the palate is silky smooth with fine tannins, powdery in texture with blackberry and bilberry fruit, yet there is something of a duet being played solo here. A lovely wine given the difficult circumstances, although the follow-up will be better.