Chateau L'Evangile 2006

Tasting Note Chateau L'Evangile 2006

The aroma features notes of plum and black cherry, with a hint of deeper minerality and iron-like nuances lingering beneath the fruit notes. The palate is velvety smooth, yet the tannins are firm and lend a sense of breadth, a characteristic typical of Bordeaux's 2006 vintage. Thanks to its natural alcohol content of 14%, the 2006 Chateau L'Evangile has genuine body without a burning sensation on the throat. Cabernet Franc lends a lightness to the finish. It should be decanted beforehand to allow it to breathe.

Grape Varieties

The 2006 vintage of Chateau L'Evangile is composed of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc. Merlot lends the wine density and nuances of dark plum. 

Cellaring Potential

This wine is best enjoyed by 2030. The tannins from the 2006 vintage are expansive and continue to blossom, supported by the wine's concentration. Serve at 16-18 °C, and decant before serving.

About Chateau L'Evangile

Pomerol packs a lot of famous names into a small space, and Château L'Évangile sits right among them, with Pétrus to the north and Cheval Blanc to the south. Merlot dominates the plantings at around 80%, Cabernet Franc takes the rest, though the balance shifts from parcel to parcel. A layer of gravel runs across the surface here, unusual in an appellation better known for clay, and it changes both drainage and the way the fruit ripens. By 1900 the property was already counted among the finest in Pomerol. Domaines Barons de Rothschild, the group behind Château Lafite Rothschild, took a 70% stake in 1990 and completed the purchase in 1999, then rebuilt the fermentation rooms and storage and introduced a second wine, Blason de L'Évangile. Harvesting is still done entirely by hand. Yields stay low.

Terroir & Climate

Pomerol consists of clay-rich soil mixed with sand and loam rich in iron, a substance locals call Machefer. Chateau L'Evangile is an exception to the general rule, featuring a rare layer of gravel near the surface. The gravel drains water quickly, reducing the moisture retained by the vines and altering the way the fruit ripens. This manifests not as pure roundness, but as a rich body with a subtle mineral character. Sea breezes bring a mild climate to Right Bank, enabling uniform ripening.

Winemaking

At Château L'Évangile harvesting is done entirely by hand in each individual plot. The lots selected as Grand Vin are determined based on their degree of ripeness. Since the Rothschild renovation, this selection process has become more rigorous, and grapes that do not meet the criteria are now directed to Blason de L'Évangile. Although new oak barrels are used, the proportion is modest by the winery's own standards, so the fruity aromas of Merlot stand out more prominently than the oak flavors.

Food Pairing

This wine pairs better with game than with steak. The highly recommended dishes are:

• Saddle: Roasted venison, prepared so that the meat's texture harmonizes with the wine's richness
• Duck: A dish of duck breast and chestnuts. The duck fat rounds out the tannins
• Simply grilled Côte de boeuf
• Comté or Gruyère, where the wine's spicy nuances really come through