1990 L'Evangile
By Chateau L'Evangile
1990 L'Evangile from Chateau L'Evangile, Pomerol, Bordeaux
An illustrious vintage of legendary standing, the 1990 L'Evangile from Chateau L'Evangile heralds from a year that graced Bordeaux with an extraordinary harvest. This meritorious vintage is one to treasure, for not only did it bask in climatic serendipity but it also showcased the vintners' virtuosity in viniculture.
Precise Pedigree: The Epitome of Investment Calibre
Bright and impeccable provenance defines the 1990 L'Evangile, a wine where time has elegantly sculpted its character. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of Pomerol at its peak, making it an incontestable asset for discerning collectors. The balance of this wine, which harmoniously intertwines mature complexity with vivacious fruit, illustrates why this particular parcel has become a beacon for fine wine investment.
A Vintage Distinguished
Thirty years on, the nuanced maturation of the 1990 vintage is undeniable. One finds a cornucopia of ripe black fruits enlaced with tertiary hints of truffles and leather amid a silken texture born from the harmonious integration of tannins and fruit. This year's release benefited from optimal ripening conditions, resulting in a concentration rarely surpassed and thus differentiating it from its predecessors.
The voluptuous bouquet reveals layers of complexity with each breath; this is Pomerol at its most profound. Encircled by an enchanting plénitude, its depth seems oceanic, boundless as any seasoned investor might imagine in their most coveted dreams.
In summing up, the 1990 L'Evangile presents itself not merely as a wine but as a tangible piece of history that propels palates into rapturous applause. Its standing within the echelons of fine wine investment is unassailable—this bottle is a luminary cast in liquid form, certain to illuminate any portfolio with the brilliance it bestows on the tongue.
Market price (GBP)
£3,310.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
254.62
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted at the Dynasty restaurant in Hong Kong. The Chateau l'Evangile 1990 continues to evolve at a glacial pace. This bottle is less open than the one back in 2008, more austere with a quasi-Pauillac-like bouquet at first: cedar and graphite eventually ebbing away to reveal dried herbs and Italian dried meats. The palate is medium-bodied and more tannic than I recall and unlike other 1990 Right Banks in that it is quite linear and symmetrical, eschewing those hot summer fruits that form the leitmotif of the vintage. As they say
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jan 2012
The 1990 Château L'Evangile has not been as consistent as its 1989 counterpart (see Robert Parker's previous tasting note). Here it showed well, even if I maintain a preference for the 1989. The nose is sultry, broody and takes time to unfurl, almost reluctantly offering up sage and black truffle infused black fruit, developing a subtle aniseed-like aroma with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine but firm tannin. It is not as charming as the 1989, sweeter in the mouth, fleshier perhaps. That initial rush of black fruit is usurped by red fruit towards the finish, laced with bay leaf and a pinch of white pepper. While I would broach the 1989 now, I would be inclined to reach for the 1990 with another 3-4 years. Tasted January 2016.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 July 2016
Three bottles of the 1990 tasted recently (all from my cellar) had me perplexed about where this wine is heading. It is a complex effort with lots of cedar, sweet caramelized black raspberries and cherries as well as hints of licorice and underbrush. However, the color reveals some disturbing amber at the edge, and the wine is loosely knit on the palate without the concentration and generosity I saw three or four years ago. It is either falling apart at an accelerated pace, or it is going through an awkward state. Release price: ($500.00/case)
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #183 June 2009