L'If 2019

A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 L'If is deep garnet-purple in color. The nose is quite closed to begin, needing a lot of swirling to bring out notes of black cherry preserves, black raspberries, and licorice, with hints of roses and raspberries. The medium to full-bodied palate has a rock-solid structure of grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular fruit, finishing long and perfumed.

Tasted blind. Deep, glowing crimson. Lots of richness of fruit plus marked acid and tannin that are not yet integrated. Youthful but ambitious. Sandpaper tannins on the end. 14.5%Drink 2027– 2044

The 2019 Château L'If is brilliant stuff that has everything you could want from a great wine – richness, opulence, elegance, and complexity. Based largely on Merlot, it reveals a dense purple hue as well a great bouquet of ripe black cherries, redcurrants, smoky tobacco, and chalky minerality. Full-bodied, pure, elegant, and wonderfully concentrated, it has enough tannins to warrant 4-5 years in the cellar and will be a 25+-year wine.

From: Bordeaux 2019: The Southwold Tasting (Feb 2023)The 2019 L'If has an almost Left Bank nose with copious graphite scents percolating through the black fruit, very focused and energetic. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, finely tuned, ripe and sensual with ample freshness on the cedar and mineral infused finish. Wonderful. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.- By Neal Martin on January 2023Drink 2025-2050

A juicy, savory red with red fruit, tobacco, chocolate, hazelnuts and sweet earth. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm yet polished tannins and a flavorful finish. Silky and refined. Complex finish, showing mushrooms, leaves and forest fruit.