2018 Chateau L'Evangile Pomerol

The 2018 L’Evangile is the vintage when Cabernet Franc (20%) returned to the blend after mildew reduced the percentage of Merlot. It has an almost identical bouquet to the one that I encountered from barrel, that attractive mélange of black fruit, briar and a lovely marine/oyster shell scent now accentuated in bottle. As I mentioned in my previous note, the Cabernet Franc shapes the aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, the 70% new oak still quite vocal and, to my mind, dictating the finish, rather than L’Evangile’s exceptional terroir. There is a slight concluding bitterness that nags away on the very briny aftertaste. With aging I am certain this Pomerol will improve, but it just misses the charm of other vintages at the moment.

Made in the more lively, elegant style that seems to be favored these days, the 2018 Château L'Evangile is based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with the Cabernet Franc playing a much more lead role than normal. Beautiful blue fruits, green tobacco, violets, white truffle, camphor, and damp earth notes all flow to a gorgeously layered, full-bodied Pomerol with sweet, silky tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. While I prefer the more opulent renditions of this cuvée, this is nevertheless a brilliant wine that has wonderful concentration, beautiful purity of fruit, and the class to evolve for 25-30 years in cold cellars.

The 2018 L'Évangile is flamboyant, spectacularly beautiful. Mildew in June took out fully 50% of the potential crop, resulting in a dense, opulent wine that is going to need many years to shed some of that baby fat. The 20% Cabernet Franc is the highest on record. The 2018 is an epic, modern-day Évangile. Raspberry jam, mocha, licorice, spice and chocolate come together as the 2018 blossoms with time in the glass. Made with 80% new oak. Both hedonistic and intellectual, the 2018 is a total pleasure bomb. Don't miss it. A real wow wine - huge!