2021, Château L'Evangile, POMEROL

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Franc, Merlot.

This château is situated in a prime position on the Pomerol plateau between Pétrus, La Conseillante and Cheval Blanc. The wines here are always smooth and seductive and are made by the team from Château Lafite.

The 2021 L'Évangile is a heady, sensual wine. Silky and pliant, with fabulous balance, L'Évangile is a stand-out. The blend includes 30% Cabernet Franc, high for the château, but what really stands out is the wine's balance. Red/purplish fruit, blood orange, rose petal and spice are all wrapped together by silky, pliant tannins. Franc aromatics and saline underpinnings extend the finish. Élevage is 50% new oak, 35% one year-old barrels and 15% amphora. Readers will find a super-classic Évangile that has tons of potential. I loved it. 94-96 Antonio Galloni.

A pure, creamy and well-structured yet very fine Evangile. Long and caressing. Very fine tannins. Lots of fresh dark fruit and savory, mineral character. Understated and classy. 96-97 James Suckling.

A good example of how skilful winemaking adapts to conditions - all the Cabernet Sauvignon has gone into the 1st wine this year because it achieved plenty of natural concentration, while recently it has been put into Blason because it took away from the elegance of the 1st wine. Savoury, supple black and blue fruits, austere but with sapidity and juice, and a gorgeous wash of campfire smoke, salted caramel, liquorice, cloves and saffron spices. This is their first organic-certified vinified, and first year with Juliette Couderc as technical director from beginning to end of the growing season. 94 Jane Anson.