Chateau L'If 2019 by Jacques Thienpont

- DIESES WEINGUT GEHÖRT JACQUES THIENPONT VON CHATEAU LE PIN!

- 19+ Punkte WEINWISSER: "75 % Merlot, 25 % Cabernet Franc. Dichtes Purpur mit rubinrotem Schimmer und lila Rand. Komplexes Bouquet mit schwarzbeerigen Konturen, dahinter viel Würze aufkommend, Koriander, Rosmarin, Brasiltabak, Szechuanpfeffer und dunkle Schokonoten. Im zweiten Ansatz Wildkirschen, zartes Veilchenparfüm und Heidelbeeren. Am Gaumen mit cremiger Textur und stützendem Tanningerüst, federleicht und sehr eleganter Trinkfluss, leicht salziges Extrakt. Im gebündelten Finale Wildkirschen und Graphitspuren, der Wein ruht völlig in sich. «No Filter, das Terroir spricht für sich», meint Cyrille Thienpont sichtlich stolz."

- 97+ Punkte VINOUS, Antonio Galloni: "The 2019 L'If is the sort of wine I would like to spend hours with. There is just too much to it. At times the 2019 is opulent and quite racy, and yet in other moments its the underlying minerality and tension in the wine that are most evident. Black cherry, herb, incense, licorice and mocha gradually open over time. The 25% Cabernet Franc comes through nicely, both in the wine's aromatic profile and overall structure. L'If is a wine to buy and cellar for a decade or more. I loved it.“

- 97 Punkte, JEB DUNNUCK: „The 2019 Château L'If is brilliant stuff that has everything you could want from a great wine – richness, opulence, elegance, and complexity. Based largely on Merlot, it reveals a dense purple hue as well a great bouquet of ripe black cherries, redcurrants, smoky tobacco, and chalky minerality. Full-bodied, pure, elegant, and wonderfully concentrated, it has enough tannins to warrant 4-5 years in the cellar and will be a 25+-year wine.“

- 96 Punkte JAMES SUCKLING: "Blackberry and cherry aromas with some walnuts. Crushed stone, dried seaweed and forest fruit, too. It’s medium-bodied with firm, fine and chewy tannin and a salty finish. Some smokiness. Reserved and closed, yet structured. Try after 2026."

- 17 Punkte JANCIS ROBINSON: "75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample.
Lifted but restrained with an appetising fruity nuance. Integrated oak just perceptible. Texture smooth and silky, the tannins long and finely honed. Overriding freshness, even zesty on the finish."

- Neal Martin in Robert Parkers WINE ADVOCATE "L'If was intended to be a more affordable alternative to Le Pin. However, they made a mistake and made a wonderful Saint Emilion that inevitably, with the Thienpont connection, became an overnight success."