Chateau L´If 2017

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is really perfumed with tar, licorice, blackberries and stone. Some gunmetal. This has ultra fine tannins with a tightly wound mouth feel that gives a long, precise finish. The flavors are focused and wonderful. Drink after 2025."

WEINWISSER: "90 % Merlot, 10 % Cabernet Franc, 30hl/ha, 14.2 % vol. Purpurgranat mit lila Schimmer. Komplexes rotbeeriges Bouquet mit tiefgründigen, würzigen Noten und Veilchen. Im zweiten Ansatz geröstete Haselnüsse und heller Tabak. Am geradlinigen Gaumen mit fleischigem Extrakt, dazu reifes perfekt stützendes Tannin gepaart mit genialer Frische – hier ist schon (fast) alles in Balance und das mit einer stattlichen Alkoholgradation. Im gebündelten, langen Finale mit ungeheurer Finesse und faszinierender Tiefe ausgestattet, erreicht das nächste Level – anschnallen und festhalten."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "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."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Juicy and youthfully compact, with a core of plum, black currant and blackberry preserve flavors that will need to unwind. Shows lots of lively anise and bramble elements in the background, showing fresh acidity throughout. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2030. 500 cases made."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, attraktive Herzkirschenfrucht, rotbeerige Nuancen unterlegt, zart nach Mandarinenzesten. Saftig, gute Komplexität, süße Brombeerfrucht, straffe Tannine, bleibt gut haften, zarter Nougat, mineralischer Nachall, schwarze Kirschen im Rückgeschmack."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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: "This is a lovely L'If, a perky violet colour with a beautifully fresh and bouncy character. The estate wasn't affected by frost, and the harvest took place between 28-30 September for Merlot, and 4 October for Cabernet Franc. Several new plots are due to come on over the next few years."