Evangile

History of Château L'Évangile

The history of Château L'Évangile begins in the 18th century, with the Léglise family, originally from Libourne, who actively participated in the establishment of the Pomerol vineyard. The estate first appears in the land registers in 1741 under the name Fazilleau, but it truly takes off in the 19th century when lawyer Isambert becomes the owner and gives it its current name: Château L'Évangile.

In 1862, the estate is acquired by Paul Chaperon, who plays a decisive role in the rise of Château L'Évangile. He builds the majestic Second Empire-style mansion that overlooks the vineyards and, as early as 1868, the estate is listed as "Premier Cru du Haut-Pomerol" in the famous Cocks Féret guide. This distinction testifies to the exceptional quality of the wines produced at L'Évangile.

The estate remains in the Chaperon family and then in that of its heirs, the Ducasse family, until 1990, when the Ducasse family decides to sell the estate to Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite. Under this new management, significant investments are made to modernise the vineyard and winemaking facilities, while preserving the heritage and soul of the estate. The transition to organic farming, completed in 2021, marks a turning point in the recent history of L'Évangile, strengthening its position as a leader in sustainable viticulture in Pomerol.

The 2009 and 1961 vintages of Château L'Évangile were awarded 100/100 by Robert Parker. The 1982 and 2000 follow with 98/100, highlighting the elegance and depth of this grand cru.

Terroirs and Vines of Château L'Évangile

Château L'Évangile benefits from an exceptional terroir, a true geological miracle. Located on a plateau in the southeast of Pomerol, the vineyard rests on a long streak of gravel, a rare geological feature in this region, which gives L'Évangile wine a unique identity.

The estate spans 22 hectares divided into 43 distinct plots, each with its geological particularities. The soil is composed of different strata: at the top, swelling clays that retain water and promote slow grape maturation, then gravelly-clay textures, ideal for the noble grape varieties of the region, and finally sandier soils at the bottom of the vineyard, conducive to the flourishing of Merlot.

The vineyard is mainly planted with Merlot (79%), an emblematic grape variety of Pomerol that brings roundness and fruitiness to the wines. It is complemented by Cabernet Franc (20%), which adds finesse and structure, as well as a small touch of Cabernet Sauvignon (1%), used sparingly but which confers a beautiful depth to the blends.

In addition to the vines, Château L'Évangile makes a point of preserving and encouraging biodiversity. Beehives have been installed on the estate, and numerous hedges border the plots, creating an environment conducive to local fauna. The estate's commitment to biodiversity and organic farming is part of a global approach aimed at minimising environmental impact while producing wines of impeccable quality.

Winemaking at Château L'Évangile

Winemaking at Château L'Évangile is based on centuries-old expertise, perfected over decades, and combined with modern techniques to elevate each vintage. The harvest is entirely done by hand, and each plot is vinified separately to respect the specificities of each terroir.

The grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled concrete vats, allowing perfect control of the fermentation process. Gentle pump-overs and macerations are carried out to delicately extract tannins and aromas, while preserving the finesse and elegance of the wine.

After fermentation, the wine is aged for about 18 months in French oak barrels, 70% of which are new. The use of alternative containers, such as clay amphorae and concrete vats, has been introduced in recent years to better respect the identity of each vintage and offer an even richer and more nuanced aromatic palette. Malolactic fermentation, which takes place in barrels, contributes to the wine's smoothness and complexity.

All of these processes allow Château L'Évangile to produce wines of great consistency, where power and elegance combine wonderfully. The estate's wines are designed to evolve favourably over time, and they develop exceptional aromatic complexity with age.

The Cuvées of Château L'Évangile

Château L'Évangile produces two main cuvées:

Château L'Évangile

This great Pomerol wine is one of the absolute references of the appellation. It is renowned for its powerful structure, silky tannins, and complex bouquet with notes of plum, chocolate and flowers. Each vintage is distinguished by a unique expression of the terroir, but all share this elegance and depth that characterise the great wines of Château L'Évangile. This wine can be kept for several decades, revealing all its richness and refinement over the years.

Blason de L'Évangile:

The estate's second wine, Blason de L'Évangile, presents characteristics close to its elder, but with a more accessible profile in its youth. Aged in barrels for a shorter period, it is less structured than the first wine, but offers a beautiful aromatic complexity with fine tannins and a seductive roundness. It's a perfect wine for those who wish to discover the style of L'Évangile without waiting for long years of ageing.

In addition to these two cuvées, the estate experiments with micro-vinifications and limited cuvées, often aged in amphorae, testifying to its avant-garde approach and its desire to innovate while respecting traditions.

Pomerol, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious appellations, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most notable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, renowned for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 continue to delight fine wine enthusiasts. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to offer wines of exceptional quality, thus cementing the appellation's reputation amongst Bordeaux's finest.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the Right Bank, where each estate rivals in excellence. Beyond the legendary Pétrus, explore prestigious names such as Beauregard, Bon Pasteur, Clinet, Gazin, Haut Trochaud, L'Eglise Clinet, La Conseillante, La Fleur Pétrus, Lafleur, Le Pin, Latour à Pomerol, Nénin, Trotanoy, or even Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the great classified growths of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, which will delight connoisseurs of fine wines. 

Château L'Évangile is a jewel of Pomerol, where each vintage is a meticulously crafted work of art. Thanks to its exceptional terroir, quality grape varieties and rigorous winemaking methods, the estate produces wines that combine power, finesse and longevity. Whether you are a connoisseur of fine wines or simply curious, the wines of Château L'Évangile offer an unforgettable tasting experience, rich in emotions and discoveries.