Tasting Notes
Vinous 90-92
(93% merlot and 7% cabernet franc; 31 h/h; 73% grand vin): Very deep purple-ruby. Intense aromas of cassis, plum, bay leaf, minerals and aromatic herbs. Beautiful silky texture on entry, then wonderfully supple in the middle, with the blueberry and blackcurrant syrup flavors lingering impressively on the back end. Finishes with rising but smooth tannins and a trace of heat, but this is an extremely successful wine. The very old cabernet franc vines (now 46 years old) ripened well while all the young vines went into the second wine, Blason d’Evangile, which is sold to just three clients and therefore is no longer shown at the Primeurs.
Wine Advocate 95
In 2012 there is only a small quantity of Blason de L’Evangile. Flowering meant there was only 31hl/ha and 73% of the crop went into the Grand Vin. The Merlot was picked between 20th September and 9th October and the Cabernet Franc from 6th to the 8th October, between which on only eight days did pickers go out with their secateurs. Of the parcels originating from their purchase of La Croix de Gay, three hectares was blended into Blason whilst one hectare situated between Lafleur and Providence was good enough for the Grand Vin. A blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, almost identical to the previous vintage and delivering a relatively high 14.4% alcohol, it has a finely tuned, forest floor-scented bouquet with crisp red berry fruit ” quite conservative but showing impressive delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a tense, saline entry. This is a typical masculine L’Evangile ” broody and introspective at the moment. There are clearly sweet tannins at the core of this Pomerol legend but it will demand several years in bottle to come round. Tasted April 2013.
