Chateau L´If 2016

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is a compact cylinder of ripe and fresh fruit with currant, fresh-herb and dry-earth character on the palate. So solid. Full-bodied yet refined and checked in every way. Well-defined, formed and perfect. Just a hint of volcanic salt and iron. Contemplate this one. Try after 2026."

WEINWISSER: " Sattes Purpurgranat mit violettem Rand. Betörendes Schattenmorellenbouquet mit Rosenholz und viel Veilchen. Sehr dicht und kräftig am Gaumen, mit butterweichen Tanninen und cremiger Textur, im Rückaroma mit Sauerkirschen, Walderdbeeren sowie roten Johannisbeeren. Zeigt eine perfekte Balance im nicht enden wollenden Finale. Scheint sich in der Top-Liga von St.-Émilion sichtlich wohl zu fühlen!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The wine is full-bodied and concentrated. But it's not a wine of power. Instead the wine lives through its purity, sensuality, length and opulence. The plum and cherry core of fruit expands on the palate and in the juicy, long finish. This is the final vintage made from 100% Merlot."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 L'If is a little shy to begin, opening out to show a beautiful red and black plums, kirsch and rose-laced personality, plus hints of tobacco and wild sage. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers beautifully ripe, satiny tannins and wonderful freshness supporting the elegant, perfumed fruits through the long finish."

DECANTER: "This has a deft ripple of acidity which keeps you on your toes all the way through this wine. From the Le Pin stable, it is just as seductive as you would imagine, with soft, ripe damson fruits and barely-there tannins that caress the palate. They have 5ha located by Troplong Mondot, 2ha by La Segue, and a further 1ha right on the limestone plateau. 100% Merlot, they finished picking this wine on 20th October as the soils are so late ripening. Aged in 50% new oak. Drinking Window 2025 - 2040"

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, fester Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, Intensive Nuancen von Weichseln, schwarze Beeren, zart floral, feines Brombeerkonfit, Orangenzesten. Mittlere Komplexität, rotbeerig, gute Frische, integrierte Tannine, mineralisch-salzig, animierender Nachhall."