L'If - Saint-Emilion 2018

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

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.

The Wine Cellar Insider

98

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

The attention seeking nose kicks off with an array of fresh picked flowers, leaves, spice, licorice, espresso, cherries, plums and blackberries. Rich, concentrated, full-bodied and fresh, the opulent, silky, graceful fruits offer layers of hedonistic thrills. The velvety, sensuously textured finish expresses purity, lift and length. With more Cabernet Franc in the blend, the wine requires more time to develop. It is highly likely that once this hits full maturity, in about a decade, this will earn an even higher score. The wine blends 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc.

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 L’If, which sees 50% new oak and 50% one-year-old wood, has a disarmingly lovely bouquet that veers more toward red fruit than black, offering raspberry and wild strawberry, hoisin and light marmalade aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and quite saline on the entry, with good tension from beginning to end. Harmonious and almost understated toward the finish, it leaves light white pepper and sage notes on the aftertaste. This is an excellent L’If that should give 12–15 years of drinking pleasure.

Wine Spectator

94

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

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. 625 cases made. –JM

Jamessuckling.com

99

byJames Sucklingthe1/18/2021

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.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 L’If is matured in 50% new oak and 50% one-year old wood, picked between 1 and 8 October. It has a very pure and sensual bouquet with dark cherries, bergamot, a touch of hoisin developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a lovely saline note with a vibrant and quite persistent finish. This is already showing commendable cohesion. A touch of spice develops with aeration. Excellent.

WeinWisser

19

byTjark Witzgallthe5/7/2019

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Full-bodied, lifted, juicy and graceful, the wine rolls over your palate like spun silk. The fruit shows a beautiful purity and vivacity. The cherries, boysenberries, spice and plums continue to resonate in the finish long after the wine has left the glass. With the addition of more Cabernet Franc in the blend and now that the vines are coming into their own, the wine has taken on more elegance and finesse in its style. Made from blending 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.55.

Wine Advocate

93-95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

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.

Wine Spectator

93-96

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

A streamlined style, with alluring cassis, raspberry and plum sauce flavors, carried by a velvety structure. Accessible in feel, but the fruit is enticing and the length is notable, suggesting this will fill out even more.