Winemaker and Vineyard: It's one of geology's mysteries that on this plateau, southeast of Pomerol, a curious accident brought a long streak of gravels to the surface, the rare soil on which the vineyard of Château L'Evangile rests. Its location is entirely privileged: bordered to the north by the vines of Château Pétrus and separated from Cheval Blanc in Saint-Émilion to the south only by a secondary road. On 22 hectares, 43 plots evoke by their name their environment (House, Vat), their place called (Catusseau, Chantecaille, Jean Faure) or their configuration (The Point). This plot is based on three major terroirs. First pelosoils, characterized by swelling clays at the top of the plateau. Then soils with gravel-clay to gravel-sandy texture. Finally, in the lower position of the appellation, soils with a large sandy dominance. The grape variety of L'Evangile's vineyard gives pride of place to Merlot (79%), complemented by Cabernet Franc (20%) and a little Cabernet-Sauvignon (1%). The plots are widely grassed. The property also houses beehives and significant biodiversity along its 2 kms of hedges.

Tasting: Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose hits the ground running with opulent scents of ripe black cherries, dried mulberries, baked plums and warm blueberries plus hints of candied violets, licorice, molten chocolate and wild sage with just a drop of hoisin. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully concentrated with seductive layers of exotic spice-laced black fruit preserves and a velvety texture, finishing long and with just enough freshness. Tantalizingly moreish! robertparker.com (06/2020)

Service: Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) to accompany beef mironton.