L'If 2021 (750ML)

96 VM / 95 WCI / 94 JS / 93 JD / 92-94+ WA / 93 DE / 93 WI / 93 FS / 16.5 JR

The 2021 L’If is a wine of power and reserve. It exudes notable density and richness, but in the more restrained style of the year. Black cherry, graphite, spice, leather, tobacco and chocolate fill out the layers effortlessly. The 2021 is a gorgeous wine, but it won't be ready to appreciate fully for a number of years. Even so, it was exquisite in two separate tastings. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Deeply colored, the nose pops with flowers, red pit fruits, cherries, red plums, smoke, and charcoal. Rich, and sweet, with ripe, round tannins and silky-textured plums, dark chocolate, and espresso on the mid-palate, with a fair amount of salinity on the backend in the finish, this is quite successful for the vintage. This remains one of the new stars of St. Emilion and is a wine to follow before prices jump. The wine blends 79% Merlot with 21% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% ABV, pH 3.61. Drink from 2026-2050. -Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

Based on 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc raised in 50% new French oak, the 2021 L'If has a saturated ruby hue to go with beautiful aromatics of black raspberries, smoked earth, tobacco, and candied violets. This beauty is ripe, medium to full-bodied, has remarkable freshness and purity, and a great finish. Made by Cyrille Thienpont (Pavie Macquin, Larcis-Ducasse), this terrific Saint-Emilion will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly over the following 10-12+ years.- Jeb Dunnuck

A blend of 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 L'If shows considerable potential, and if it evolves as well as I suspect it will during élevage, it may make my score seem conservative. Offering up aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with loamy soil, black truffles and sweet forest floor, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, with velvety tannins and a bright spine of acidity, concluding with a long, saline finish. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Fragrant black cherries with dark chocolate, smells so beautifully scented with juniper, plum and damson. Bright and characterful, sleek and suave on the palate, fresh and fruity, filling the mouth with mouthwatering juice. I love the minerality - saline, iodine, graphite, wet stone and pencil lead flavours with a chalky feel. It has an expansive but gentle character in the mouth, not massively weighty but a good push of flavour. A touch of austerity comes into play but this maintains direction with tension and clarity. Well worked and graceful, if a little compact right now. Lots of promise. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter