Château L'Évangile Pomerol 2014 is a superb expression of one of Pomerol's most prestigious estates, owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Produced in an outstanding vintage for the Right Bank, this elegant Bordeaux combines power with remarkable finesse. The bouquet is intensely aromatic, revealing layers of black cherry, blueberry, cassis, black truffle, violets, Earl Grey tea, sage, cedar, and subtle spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied with silky yet structured tannins, vibrant freshness, and exceptional precision, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish. Now entering its prime drinking window, the 2014 Château L'Évangile promises decades of graceful evolution, making it an excellent addition to any fine wine collection.

The Wine Advocate | RP 95
Published: Mar 31, 2017
Drink: 2024-2045

The 2014 L'Evangile comes racing out of the blocks on the nose with plenty of black cherry, blueberry, cold stone and black truffle scents, quintessentially Pomerol with impressive delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly grainy texture, lovely black fruit here laced with Earl Grey, spice and sage, quite intense and fanning out gloriously towards the long finish. This seems to have gained precision after bottling and I did warn that it may merit a higher score. This is a deeply impressive L'Evangile that might challenge Lafite-Rothschild in the long term. Chapeau! 

Decanter | D 93
Published: Bordeaux 2014 revisited 10 years on
Drink: 2024-2040

Seriously potent and fragrant on the nose, floral aromas and dark fruits. Feels a little pushed from the nose alone. Relatively round and balanced on the palate, a thicker texture than some, not chewy but grippy thick tannins settle around the mouth and this carries a confident style, not too acidic, it's more calm, but still has persistence and harmony. Not the most layered, but what is there is really quite enjoyable. Will be great with food and will still last longer. If anything it does feel a little ripe and over-extracted, but seems to settling down nicely with soft spice and wet stones on the finish. Feels like it once was a bit of a beast, but it's now calming.

Jancis Robinson | JR 16
Published: Feb 20, 2024
Drink: 2020-2029

Tasted blind. Deeply coloured. Fresh and cedary. Lively, pretty mature and leathery on the palate but has satisfying richness in the middle. I would normally expect this wine to be a keeper but I am not so sure about this vintage.

Lafite.com

Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite acquired L’Évangile in 1990. The Ducasse family was keen to ensure continuity of care and sustainability for the estate. 

In the house in the heart of the vineyards, built of Bordeaux stone in its mythical clay gravel setting, bees and horses, winegrowers and farmers come together.

In the midst of an abundance of nature, this is a house full of ideas and experiments. A house where, as soon as we pass through the red wooden doors, we land in the vineyards, where the team observes and cares for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines. 

In the winery, research and work are carried out in unison and without ever forgetting the raw material provided by the vines. L’Évangile is also a table that is always set and ready to receive guests, whether they are curious or experts, around a rib steak grilled on a fire made with the shoots of these same vines. And certainly, a glass of wine. A balanced, powerful and round, sharp, and gentle wine.

Château L’Évangile is also the first of the Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite estates to use organic farming methods. All the vines have been replanted and are learning to adapt.

The Vineyard
It is by one of those mysteries of geology that on this plateau, south-east of Pomerol, a curious accident brought to the surface a long line of gravel, a rare soil on which the vineyard of Château L’Évangile rests.

Its location is quite privileged:  Bordered to the north by the vines of Château Pétrus, it is only separated from Cheval Blanc in Saint-Emilion, to the south, by a small road.

Over 22 hectares, 43 plots evoke their environment (Maison, Cuvier), their locality (Catusseau, Chantecaille, Jean Faure) or their configuration (La Pointe) by their name. 

This parcel of land consists of three major terroir units. Firstly, the pelosols, characterised by swelling clays at the top of the plateau. Then soils with a gravel-clay to gravel-sand texture. Finally, in the lower part of the appellation, soils with a predominantly sandy texture.

The vineyard of L’Évangile is planted mainly with Merlot (79%), supplemented by Cabernet Franc (20%) and a little Cabernet Sauvignon (1%).

The plots are largely grassed over. The property is also home to beehives and significant biodiversity along its 2 km of hedges.

The Wines
Château L’Évangile is described in an old edition of the “Grands vins de Bordeaux” as “a full, elegant wine with an incomparable bouquet and finesse”.

The second wine, Blason de L’Évangile, has similar characteristics to its elder brother. With shorter barrel ageing than that of Château L’Évangile, it is a wine best enjoyed young.

At Château L’Évangile, the use of vats other than barrels – such as foudres, amphorae or concrete vats – allows us to adapt to the identity of each vintage.