L'If - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017

Vinous

96 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 11/03/2020

The 2017 L'If is fabulous. Rich and dense in the glass, the 2017 possesses off-the-charts intensity and vertical explosiveness. Black cherry, chocolate, licorice, smoke and dried flowers infuse the 2017 with tremendous complexity as well as nuance. The tannins are pretty much buried by the sheer depth of the fruit, while bright floral and spice notes punctuate the super-expressive finish.

Vinous

94-97 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 15/05/2018

The 2017 L'If is beautifully precise and lifted, with terrific energy and tension, much of it from the 9% Cabernet Franc that informs the blend this year. The bright, red-toned fruit, tobacco and floral notes are finely sculpted in this super-polished Saint-Émilion. The 2017 is a bit restrained relative to prior vintages, but that seems to suit the wine just fine. This is a stellar showing from Jacques and Cyrille Thienpont. Tasted two times.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 11/05/2018

Truffle, licorice and ripe black cherries command your attention immediately. On the palate, the wine is supple in texture with a profundity of fruit and glossy, silk tannins that are impossible to overlook. With a touch of jam in the back note. Everything is in balance from the start all the way through to the plum, vanilla, chocolate and boysenberry filled finish. This is quite an accomplishment for the vintage. The wine is made from blending 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.51

Vinous

90-92 / 100

par Neal Martin le 01/05/2018

The 2017 L’If includes an additional hectare this year, one of four replanted after it was purchased by Jacques Thienpont and it includes some Cabernet Franc. It was picked between 28 September and 4 October with hardly any vines touched by frost. It has a very lucid purple hue. The bouquet is quite opulent and very pure, quite focused and gaining in clarity in the glass with copious blueberry, cassis and pastille like aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. It might not be the most complex L’If I have tasted but I like the salinity that comes through in its final third. Give this three or four years in bottle.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 27/04/2018

Blended of 91% Merlot with 9% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 L'If is deep garnet-purple in color, featuring beautiful crushed red cherries and black raspberries on the nose with underlying black plums, baking spices and roses notes plus a waft of Sichuan pepper. Medium-bodied with wonderfully elegant tannins and beautiful freshness, it has well-sustained mid-palate fruit and a long, earth-laced finish.

Decanter.com

90 / 100

par Jane Anson le 25/04/2018

WeinWisser

19 / 20

par René Gabriel le 25/04/2018

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

par James Molesworth le 04/04/2018

Quite pure and very focused, with delightful cherry, plum and raspberry fruit dancing through. Flashes of floral and spice notes line the finish, with sleek acidity.—J.M.