Château L’Évangile
After St.Emilion we made our way to Pomerol to visit Château L’Évangile which sits in the middle of the Plateau surrounded by all other big names of this Apppellation. L’Évangile is know for producing one of Bordeaux’s most seductive, rich Merlot-driven wine. Established in the 18th century, the estate came under the ownership of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in 1990, marking a new chapter of investment and modernization. Today Saskia de Rothschild is at the family helm and Juliette Couderc, the technical director told us that Saskia leaves the L’Évangile team considerable freedom to make the right quality choices even if they may come at the expense of economics.
The terroir on the Pomerol plateau imparts both power and precision: the clay retains moisture for ripeness and suppleness, while the gravel ensures excellent drainage and adds mineral lift. The Grand Vin is typically a blend of around 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, marrying plush black-fruit richness with aromatic lift and fine-grained tannins. Through careful canopy management and gentle extraction, the wines reflect a style that is both opulent in youth and ageworthy over decades.
At this point I would like to shine a special spotlight to Juliette Couderc, the technical director who led through the visit. She has an interesting CV that includes working three years in China – partially during the terribly managed Covid period – that is not for the faint heated and speaks to her ambition an grit. Born in the Charente-Maritime, she studied oenology in Bordeaux and Montpellier before gaining international experience in Chile, New Zealand, and heading viticulture at Long Dai in China (owned by Lafite). She mentioned how lonely it became at times as a petite French lady in the middle of nowhere in China surrounded by middle aged farmers who don’t speak a word of English, let alone French. My friend Jeff who is fluent in Chinese, he lived in Taiwan, and his wife, who is from Shanghai, were comparing Chinese dialects during the tasting with Julilette giving samples of her Shandong accent. Good fun!
Returning to Pomerol amid the pandemic, Juliette has applied fresh insights to the estate’s traditional methods – introducing precision fermentation protocols, aiming for a lower ph, trialing amphora élevage alongside French oak, and collaborating closely with viticulturalists to fine-tune ripeness. This is what is needed to stay ahead of the game, especially in times of global warming.
Technical direction Juliette Couderc in her elements: vineyard – cellar – tasting
Château L’Évangile
Ownership: Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)
Location: Pomerol
Vineyard Size: Approximately 22 hectares
Annual Production: Approximately 5,000 cases
Grape Varietals: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
History: Established in the 18th century, Château L’Évangile was acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild in 1990. The estate is located adjacent to renowned neighbors such as Château Pétrus and Château Cheval Blanc.
Notable Features: L’Évangile is esteemed for producing rich, opulent wines that exemplify the intensity and depth characteristic of top Pomerol estates. If you like this richer, dark fruit style, you may also like Angélus, Troplong Mondot, La Conseillante, Hosanna, L’ Église Clinet.
Tasting Notes
2020 Château L’Evangile Blason de l’Evangile Pomerol, 91 Points
87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc. 14% Alc. A charming second wine that opens with an expressive nose of dark cherry, plum, and truffle. Vinified in concrete rather than used barrels, it offers immediacy and purity, emphasizing juicy fruit over structure. Accessible and ready to enjoy now.
2021 Château L’Evangile Pomerol, 94 Points
Ca. 85% Merlot, 14.%% Alc. A Notable success for the vintage, showing deep blue fruit tones alongside hints of mint and fresh herbs. There’s surprising volume for a 2021, with well-handled extraction and a finish that currently carries a touch of youthful bitterness. Promising and built to evolve – best after 2030.
2022 Château L’Evangile Pomerol, 95-96 Points
85+% Merlot, 14.5%. Alc. Rich and ripe, with dark and red cherry fruit, spices, eucalyptus, and baking spices. Full throttle but avoiding overripe or oxidative notes. Walks the line between Napa and Bordeaux. What I like here is the 2022 freshness, PH is 3.7, which keeps it in Bordeaux stylistically. An ideal choice for those who enjoy a richer expression of Bordeaux.
2009 Château L’Evangile Pomerol, 94 Points
Lovely nose showing tertiary notes mingled with dark fruit, a touch of stewed fruit, and baking spices. While some of the 2009 left bank are still a bit closed, this is open for business. The wine drinks well now with a generous mid palate and well integrated tannins.
2000 Château L’Evangile Pomerol, 98 Points
Not tasted at the estate, but two weeks before during our Bordeaux 2000 dinner and it came in as my personal wine of the night (see report).
Author: Christian Raubach, WSET III, FWS, WSG Champagne Master
May 2025