2016 Château L'If
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Tasting notes
The 2016 L'If has quite a high-toned bouquet compared with its peers. Blackcurrant and blueberry scents, not endowed with the complexity of say, Figeac or Canon in the same flight. The palate is medium-bodied, with a sweeter entry than its peers, juicy and succulent, with more blue fruit manifesting towards the finish. Fine, but not in the same class as the top Saint-Émilions. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's Ten-Year-On tasting in London.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Glowing crimson. Intriguingly complex nose. Pretty firm still but I think the fruit will survive long enough for this slow burner to evolve. Grainy finish is quite trying at the moment. (JR)
The 2016 L’If offers blackberry, cedar and mint aromas on a nose that needs time to coalesce, but eventually reveals harmony and focus. The new oak is very well assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, and pliant in the mouth, delivering gentle grip toward the creamy-textured finish. This is an extremely impressive wine from l’équipe Le Pin. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Tasted blind. Could do with more freshness. Rather hot. Without enough of a core of fruit. Drying tannins. (JR)