2018 Chateau l’If, Grand Cru St Emilion (3 x Bottle)
The 2018 L'If is super-impressive, even if it comes across as a bit restrained today. Ultimately, that energy will serve it well. Dark and sensual, with striking aromatic presence and fabulous balance, the 2018 dazzles from start to finish. Dark cherry, plum, spice, new leather, menthol and mocha all build in the glass. The 2018 is bold, sumptuous and full of energy. I can't wait to see how it ages. What a wine.
2018 Chateau l’If, Grand Cru St Emilion (3 x Bottle)
The 2018 L'If is super-impressive, even if it comes across as a bit restrained today. Ultimately, that energy will serve it well. Dark and sensual, with striking aromatic presence and fabulous balance, the 2018 dazzles from start to finish. Dark cherry, plum, spice, new leather, menthol and mocha all build in the glass. The 2018 is bold, sumptuous and full of energy. I can't wait to see how it ages. What a wine.
| Producer | Chateau L'If |
|---|---|
| Sub-Region | St. Emilion |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Country | France |
| Grape Variety | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Colour | Red |
| ABV | 13.50% |
| Style | Medium-Full , Dry |
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Vinous
The 2018 L’If is an exceptionally beautiful Saint-Émilion. Fragrant and light on its feet, the 2018 is all finesse. A rush of rose petal, lavender, mint, spice and blue/purplish berry fruit infuse this striking, mid-weight Saint-Émilion. This is one of the more polished, understated wines of the vintage. Silky tannins add to the wine’s air of sophistication. I tasted the 2018 from six separate lots and then the final blend (two times), which once again shows how important blending is as the final wine is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Cyrille Thienpont told me the grapes did not have a lot of juice at crush, so he opted for gentler winemaking and fewer pumpovers during a cuvaison that lasted 25-28 days. The blend is 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc, a big increase over 2016, where the Franc was 9%.
95-98 Points
By Antonio Galloni / April 2019
Vinous
The 2018 L’If is matured in 50% new oak and 50% one-year old wood, picked between 1 and 8 October. It has a very pure and sensual bouquet with dark cherries, bergamot, a touch of hoisin developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a lovely saline note with a vibrant and quite persistent finish. This is already showing commendable cohesion. A touch of spice develops with aeration. Excellent.
90-92 Points / Drinking 2022 - 2032
By Neal Martin / November 2019
Vinous
The 2018 L’If, which sees 50% new oak and 50% one-year-old wood, has a disarmingly lovely bouquet that veers more toward red fruit than black, offering raspberry and wild strawberry, hoisin and light marmalade aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and quite saline on the entry, with good tension from beginning to end. Harmonious and almost understated toward the finish, it leaves light white pepper and sage notes on the aftertaste. This is an excellent L’If that should give 12–15 years of drinking pleasure.
92 Points / Drinking 2023 - 2035
By Neal Martin / March 2021