L'Evangile Pomerol 2012

96 points Sebastian Payne, MW (Decanter): "A deep-coloured wine with real Pomerol ‘flesh’ and structure. This is a wine that grows in the glass, showing its class as it opens up; will probably benefit from two or three more years or early decanting. The property was replanting Cabernet Franc, so this is almost entirely Merlot. Drinking Window: 2025-2035. (3/3/22)"

95 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(93% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc). This has velvety tannins that you can practically stroke in the glass. They remain firm, adding width and depth through the mid palate, beautifully muscular plum, blackberry and raspberry fruits. Will soften further over next five years but has life and character. 31hl/h yield. Alcohol 14%. Drink 2022-2040. (3/3/22)"

95 points James Suckling: "An extremely polished L'Evangile with light chocolate, stone and cedar that turns to green olive with hints of sweet tobacco. Full body, tight center palate with polished and very tight grained tannins. So much energy here. Beautiful to taste but can't wait to see it in 2020. (6/18/17)"

95 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "This is dark and distinctive on the nose, which is fragranced with scents of dark chocolate, dried berries and rose petals, in a quite fresh and bright style. The palate brings the same sense of composure and breeding, with beautifully integrated texture and substance, the middle filled out with dark and savoury fruits, with a delightful sense of drive, before it finishes with a delightfully defined flourish of currants and violets. This is charming but confident, and texturally it is undeniably a cut above most of its peers. Very well done. A delicious Pomerol. The alcohol is 14% on the label. (Mar 2022)"

95 points La Revue du Vin de France: "Very appealing today, the 2012 is a model of classicism, fragrant and floral, with fine tannins and a delicious finish. It has all the qualities needed to evolve gracefully. (2016)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "A dense, dark, woodsy style, with loads of tobacco, charcoal and tar holding sway over steeped plum, black currant and Black Mission fig flavors. Shows a serious graphite bolt on the finish, along with a tug of dark earth. A rather powerful rendition of Pomerol that will need some time to stretch out fully. Best from 2018 through 2032. (3/31/15)"

94 points Robert Parker: "This dark ruby/plum Pomerol offers up sweet black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, velvety tannin, medium to full body, and a nice lushness and silkiness. A beauty with great fragrance and suppleness, it’s not enormously endowed, as a great vintage would be, but it is certainly an outstanding wine and a brilliant effort from ’Evangile in 2012. Drink it over the next 15 years. Drink: 2015-2030. (4/29/15)"

94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "Monsieur Vazart, Technical Director at Château l’Évangile, reported that the harvest was perfect at the estate this year, with the picking teams starting to harvest grapes on September 22nd and finishing up on October 9th, with the grapes brought in with lovely ripeness. The wine is a gorgeous example of 2012 l’Évangile, tipping the scales at a ripe, but absolutely effortless 14.4 percent alcohol (the same level as at Pétrus this year) that exudes purity and precision. It is a far more classic example than either 2009 or 2010 at this address and, without question, is one of the best wines of the vintage. The bouquet is a superb blend of black cherries, black raspberries, cigar smoke, dark chocolate, violets, soil and a deft framing of cedary new wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and vibrant, with a fine core of fruit, velvety tannins and excellent length and grip on the focused and classy finish. The 2012 Château l’Évangile is an absolute classic in the making. 2023-2050. (Mar/Apr 2013)"