L'Evangile Pomerol 1985

95 points Robert Parker: "A beautiful L’Evangile and one of the vintage’s top successes, the color still retains a very dense ruby/purple with only a bit of lightening at the edge. A classic nose of liquid intermixed with black raspberries., blackberries, licorice, and a hint of truffle jumps from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, very concentrated, well-balanced, sweet, authoritatively powerful yet at the same time elegant wine. It has reached full maturity , where it should rest for some time to come. (Dec 2002)"

95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 1985 L'Evangile is a Pomerol that took many years to come round—bottles were still quite impenetrable after 20 years. Now, after almost 40 years, this is probably my favourite vintage for the estate after the 1989. Slightly darker in colour, this offers black fruit, black truffle and leather as more loamy scents surface with aeration. I appreciate the complexity of this Pomerol. The palate holds onto that structure and grip (I wonder if it underwent a longer maceration than normal?). With lightly spiced red fruit and hints of bacon fat, this L'Evangile is now at its peak. Tasted at the 1985 dinner at Noble Rot Mayfair. Drink: 2024-2044. (Jun 2025)"

95 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "At full maturity, here you find, truffles, dark chocolate, sweet plums, wet earth and forest floor notes. Soft, refined, silky, and plummy, with a beautiful, dark red pit fruit finish, this is at its absolute peak, so if you have bottles of this, it is time to drink up over the next 5-8 years or so. (Aug 2021)"

95 points Falstaff: "Deep carmine garnet, ochre reflections, broad lightening at the rim. Delicate tobacco notes, nuances of cassis and raspberries, floral hints, a touch of prunes, candied orange zest in the background, multifaceted, mature bouquet. Medium body, creamy texture, red berry nuances, well-integrated, supportive, robust (delicately green) tannins, elegant, sweet extract and well-matured, mineral finish, a light-footed, lively food companion, red cherries, lemony nuances in the finish. (Sep 2017)"

93 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 1985 l’Evangile has long had a stellar reputation, as this was the first vintage at the estate after its purchase by Lafite-Rothschild, and this most recent bottle at our October tasting showed beautifully. The deep, pure and flamboyant nose jumps from the glass in a blend of roasted plums, black cherries, mocha, herb tones, a dollop of cigar smoke and plenty of toasty new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite suave and velvety on the attack, with a fine core of fruit, melting tannins and excellent length and grip on the focused and very classy finish. A lovely vintage of l’Evangile that is making good on the considerable promise of its youth, but is certainly a bit more polished in style than the wines made here prior to the sale to Lafite. 2014-2035. (Sep/Oct 2014)"

93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Deep red. Multidimensional nose melds red berry liqueur, milk chocolate, underbrush, truffle and smoke; seemed to shut down in the glass. Lush, silky and sweet, with sneaky ripe acidity giving the flavors clarity and penetration. Still a bit youthfully tight on the back end, but vinous and long. (Jul/Aug 2002)"