Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
L'If
Label Name:
 
St Emilion
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
Merlot 74%, Cabernet Franc 26%
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 97/100; Wine Advocate (Lisa Perrotti‑Brown) 93–95/100; James Suckling 99/100; Wine Spectator ~94/100; widely praised by critics and considered a top Saint‑Émilion from the 2018 vintage

Tasting Note
Concentrated damson, black cherry and cassis with baked raspberry, rose petal, black tea, dark chocolate and licorice. Velvety yet firm tannins, spicy oak and chalky minerality lead to a long, savory finish.

Food Pairing
Roast lamb, beef or venison, mushroom risotto, aged hard cheeses (Western). Asian: Peking duck, char siu, Korean BBQ short ribs, soy-braised beef, mushroom hot pot.

Production Method
Temperature-controlled fermentation; matured 12–16 months in French oak barriques (≈50% new). Small-batch vinification with gentle extraction and élevage.

Vineyard Info
Owned by Jacques Thienpont (acquired 2010) and family-run; ~8 hectares on the Saint‑Émilion plateau, planted mainly to Merlot and Cabernet Franc; boutique, low-yield production.