Chateau L’Evangile is one of the oldest properties in Pomerol. In fact, Chateau L’Evangile has a long history dating all the way back to 1741. Chateau L’Evangile was founded by the Leglise family who resided in Libourne. The first mention the Pomerol estate was under the name of Domaine de Fazilleau and later Le Domaine de L’Evangile ou de Fazilleau. In 1862, the estate was purchased by Jean Paul Chaperon, who was related to the well-known and powerful Ducasse family. It was Jean Paul Chaperon who decided to name the estate, Chateau L’Evangile, which we know it as today. Jean Paul Chaperon was also responsible for constructing the chateau in 1874 as well.

 

By 1900, Chateau L’Evangile was widely considered the third best wine in all of Pomerol, just behind Vieux Chateau Certan and Petrus . That was high praise indeed. To keep up with the increased demand, Jean Paul Chaperon also succeeded in adding additional vineyards to Chateau L’Evangile, increasing the size of the property.

 

Chateau L’Evangile was well established by the start of the 19th century. In fact, the original vineyards of Chateau L’Evangile at that time, are not really not that much different than what it is today. For all intents and purposes, things have not really changed all that much in 200 years, with the exception of a large parcel of new land acquired in 2012.

 

In 1903, after the owner Jean Paul Chaperon passed away, his family continued to manage Chateau L’Evangile. L’Evangile, like many Pomerol estates suffered intense damage to their Bordeaux vineyards from the deep 1956 frost. It’s amazing when you consider the quality produced at L’Evangile in the 1959 and 1961 vintages, which were in large part, produced from very young vines.

 

The Chaperon family remained in charge of Chateau L’Evangile until the Ducasse family began running the estate. If the Ducasse name seems familiar to you, their name appears on the famed St. Emilion estate, Chateau Larcis Ducasse . Simone Ducasse who started taking on responsibilities for the Right Bank estate during the 1940’s, began managing the Pomerol property in its entirety beginning with the 1982 vintage. Chateau L’Evangile remained the property of the Chaperon family until 1990 when Simone Ducasse sold a 70% stake of the property to the owners of the famous, First Growth , Pauillac estate, Chateau Lafite Rothschild . The remaining shares were purchased in 1999.

 

After the purchase by Domaines de Rothschild in 1999, a lot of money was invested in improvements to the vineyards, wine making facilities and even the chateau of Chateau L’Evangile. A second wine was created, Blason de L’Evangile. Shortly after the purchase, the estate renovated the entire wine making facilities and cellars. Much of the vineyard was replanted. That project was completed in time for the legendary 2005 Bordeaux vintage. In June 2012, the owners of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, the parent company of L’Evangile purchased 15 acres of vines from La Croix de Gay that will allow them to expand Chateau L’Evangile from 40 acres to 55 acres.

 

 

Chateau L’Evangile Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes , Winemaking

 

Chateau L’Evangile is located next door to Chateau La Conseillante , not far from Petrus and only a stones throw from Chateau Cheval Blanc in the south east section of the Pomerol plateau. In fact, only a small, dirt road separates L’Evangile from Saint Emilion.

 

The 16 hectare Pomerol vineyard of Chateau L’Evangile is planted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc . This shows a change in the vineyard plantings with an increase in the percentage of Merlot. They have a terroir of clay, gravel and sand with iron oxide soil. However, when you take a deeper look at their vineyard, it is more complex as you have sections closer to the peak of the Pomerol plateau, near Petrus with more deep clay. As you get closer to Cheval Blanc and St. Emilion, you have more gravel and sand. They also have soils with a much higher sand content. Those sandy soils are used as the main source for grapes placed into their second wine. On average, the vines are 30 years old. The vineyard is planted to a density of 6,000 vines per hectare.

 

In 2004, the new vat room and new cellars were completed. This allowed for true vinification on a plot by plot basis at Chateau L’Evangile. The new cellars were dug deep enough to allow for everything to be moved by gravity.

 

To produce the Pomerol wine of Chateau L’Evangile, the grapes from each plot are separated into batches, allowing the estate to decide if the fruit is destined for inclusion L’Evangile or the second wine once fermentation has been completed. Vinification takes place in 20, temperature controlled, cement vats that range in size from 35 hectoliters up to 81 hectoliters. They practice pumping over and controlled maceration techniques. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. Chateau L’Evangile is aged in an average of 70% new, French oak barrels for close to 18 months. On average, Chateau L’Evangile produces between 2,000 and 3,000 cases of Pomerol per vintage. There is a second wine, Blason de L’Evangile.

 

The best vintages of Chateau L’Evangile are: 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2000, 1998, 1990, 1985, 1982, 1975, 1964, 1961, 1959, 1950, 1948, 1947 and 1945. The wines from the top vintages of Chateau L’Evangile can age quite well.

 

Chateau L’Evangile is a full bodied, rich, elegant, powerful, opulent, long lived style of Pomerol that ages well. It is not always a consistent performer. However, in the top vintages, many of which start with the 2000 vintage, they produce a compelling, plum, chocolate and floral wine that can offer a stunning, opulent, tasting experience. Chateau L’Evangile is capable of aging for decades.