- Colour Red
- Producer Château l'If
- Region St Emilion
- Grape Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot
- Drinking 2019 - 2032
- Case size 6x75cl
- Available Now
2015 - L'If St Emilion - 6x75cl
- Colour Red
- Producer Château l'If
- Region St Emilion
- Grape Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot
- Drinking 2019 - 2032
- Case size 6x75cl
- Available Now
Select pricing type
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Neal Martin, July 2019, Score: 93
The 2015 L'If, the sibling of Le Pin, of course, has a high-toned iodine-tinged bouquet with floral scents emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, gentle grip, nicely structured with an attractive cedar- and black-pepper-tinged finish that shows more weight and density than its peers. It is a little heady but it is still well crafted. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.
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Neal Martin, July 2019, Score: 93
The 2015 L'If, the sibling of Le Pin, of course, has a high-toned iodine-tinged bouquet with floral scents emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, gentle grip, nicely structured with an attractive cedar- and black-pepper-tinged finish that shows more weight and density than its peers. It is a little heady but it is still well crafted. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.
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Neal Martin, June 2016, Score: 92-94
The 2015 L'If is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc this year and it was matured in around 50% new oak. It has a very ravishing and opulent bouquet with macerated small red cherries, blueberry and a hint of powdered chocolate, probably from the new oak, and that seems to quickly dissipate. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, a pinch of white pepper, nicely structured and showing great style on the finish. "That's bloody good," commented Fiona Morrison behind me, and I would not disagree. In fact, over five to ten minutes, this Saint Emilion gained precision and harmony. This is a strong follow-up to the 2014, although let's wait until bottling to see if it is better.
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Jancis Robinson, April 2016, Score: 17
Same owners as Le Pin. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. Fifth vintage under Jacques Thienpont's ownership. 2012 was the first vintage sold en primeur. Lots of replanting. Only 4 out of 8 ha in production, of which only 2 ha made L'If in 2015. Blackish crimson. Very dense and intense - with some polish and masses of seduction. Rich and powerful. Sort of like a cross between a St-Émilion and a Le Pin in terms of texture. Powerful. Lots of freshness as well as the seduction. Definitely the best so far! Drink 2024-2035
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Tim Atkin, May 2016, Score: 94
The gentle Le Pin touch is increasingly evident in the wines from this four-hectare St.Emilion property. Floral, elegant and well balanced, this is textured and sweet, with striking oak integration, notes of blueberry, plum and orange zest and fine-grained tannins. Drink: 2022-30
Region
St Emilion
South of Pomerol lies the medieval, perched village of St Emilion. Surrounding St Emilion are vines that produce round, rich and often hedonistic wines. Despite a myriad of soil types, two main ones dominate - the gravelly, limestone slopes that delve down to the valley from the plateau and the valley itself which is comprised of limestone, gravel, clay and sand. Despite St Emilion's popularity today, it was not until the 1980s to early 1990s that attention was brought to this region. Robert Parker, the famous wine critic, began reviewing their Merlot-dominated wines and giving them hefty scores. The rest is history as they say. Similar to the Médoc, there is a classification system in place which dates from 1955 and outlines several levels of quality. These include its regional appellation of St Emilion, St Emilion Grand Cru, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé and St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, which is further divided into "A" (Ausone and Cheval Blanc) and "B" (including Angélus, Canon, Figeac and a handful of others). To ensure better accuracy, the classification is redone every 10 years enabling certain châteaux to be upgraded or downgraded depending on on the quality of their more recent vintages.