L'If 2018

Type: Red Wine      Volume: 750ml

Winery: L'If

Country: France     Region: Bordeaux

District: St Emilion

Grapes Varieties: 74% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc

Classification:      Production: 625 Cases

Alcohol:      Packing: 

Ratings and Tasting Notes:

JS=99 Aromas of black cherries, blueberries, licorice, dried lavender, nutmeg and grated milk chocolate. Pure raspberries, walnut husks and crushed peppercorns as well. It’s full-bodied with firm, racy tannins that go on for minutes. So sleek and polished with a long finish. Really amazing and perhaps the best wine ever from here. Same ownership as the legendary Le Pin from Pomerol. Slightly more cabernet franc (30% instead of 20%) in the blend may have made the difference. The rest is merlot. Clearly the best wine ever from here, since the official first vintage 2011. Try from 2026.

AG=97 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.

WA=93-95 The 2018 L'If is blended of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc, to be aged 12-16 months in barriques, 50% new. The wine has a pH of 3.55 and 14.5% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it gives up a beautiful perfume of baked raspberries, mulberries and Black Forest cake with hints of fragrant soil, rose hip tea and dusty soil. Full-bodied, rich and jam-packed with generous red and black fruits framed by velvety tannins, it has wonderful savory chocolate and licorice accents and a long, spicy finish.

WS=94 This is a tightly focused wine, with racy damson plum and cassis notes leading off while floral, incense and black tea notes swirl around. Finish is driven and pure, with a seamlessly inlaid chalky minerality leaving a mouthwatering impression. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036