Chateau L'Evangile

Like all the châteaux in its appellation, L’Evangile is unclassified, though it is regarded among the top wineries in Pomerol. Indeed, in the second edition of Cocks Ferét of 1868 it is described as an “Upper-Pomerol First Growth Wine” It has a history of producing great wines, even under adverse conditions, having created beautiful vintages in 1959 and 1960 despite the vines having been recently ravaged by frost. Under DBR ownership, L’Evangile’s star has risen, with Baron Eric de Rothschild giving it the moniker “Little Lafite”- a sure way to pique market interest.

In recent years, buyers in Asian markets have been keen to get their hands on wines with a familial connection to Lafite that have been touched by some of that château’s magic and prices have risen accordingly. This is despite the fact that overwhelmingly, buying power from the Far East, and Hong Kong especially, has focused on the picture-postcard-pretty châteaux of the Left Bank, demonstrating the power of the Lafite and Rothschild brands.

Critic Neal Martin called L’Evangile the “Marlon Brando of Pomerol” by way of relating the Grand Vin’s intensity and power. The wine requires significant ageing, mellowing beautifully and gradually revealing a stunningly complex bouquet. A minimum of 10 years cellaring is recommended, though the 1979 is currently rewarding patience and drinking very well. Overall, L’Evangile has attained a commendable RJP average of 93.6-points for the 5 vintages past.

L’Evangile was one of the 19 recipients of ‘perfect’ scores as given by Robert Parker for the 2009 vintage- itself a great year for wines across Pomerol. The full-bodied wine was described by Parker as “An astonishing effort from the Rothschild family, the 2009 L’Evangile may be the reference point offering from this estate for decades to come. Because of its sheer extract and velvety personality, it will be drinkable in 4-5 years, and will keep for four decades or more where well-stored. The most profound L’Evangile ever made?”

Château L’Evangile is one of the oldest winemaking properties in Pomerol, dating back to the mid-18th century and, for all intents and purposes, not much has changed in the two centuries since when it comes to the vinyard- dominated by Merlot and accented with Cabernet Franc.

In 1862 L’Evangile was sold to Paul Chaperon and later came to his descendants, the famous Ducasse family. Finally in 1990, the estate was acquired by Domaines de Barons Rothschild, the famous owners of Château Lafite Rothschild. Heavy investments followed, with the replanting of vines, introduction of a second wine and an extensive renovation of the vat room and cellars, completed in 2004. Perhaps the greatest upheaval though for this historic winery with its pedigree of constancy was its expansion in 2012. DBR acquired a plot of land from Le Croix de Gay, bringing the property to 55 acres in total.