L'If 2020

Wineadvocate

Bursting with aromas of sweet blackberries, cherries, licorice and spices, the 2020 L'If is medium to full-bodied, bright and youthfully structured, with a pretty core of fruit, chalky tannins and a mouthwatering finish. In recent years, this property has begun to find an identity of its own, the bulk of whose holdings lie next to Troplong-Mondot, a property the Thienpont family owned for a decade in the 20th century. - WK 04/2023

Vinous

The 2020 L’If is dense, powerful and explosive to the core. A rush of black cherry fruit, chocolate, graphite, cloves and lavender saturates the palate. This powerful, dense Saint-Émilion is all muscle and brawn today. There is no shortage of intensity, but all of that energy is directed inwards at this stage. Huge tannins and bright acids need time to soften, but this is impressive. Readers should expect a big, big wine. (Drink between 2030-2050) - AG 02/2023

Beck

Jacques Thienpont a acheté en 2010 une propriété idéalement située sur le plateau de Saint-Emilion, en bordure du Château Troplong-Mondot. Avec le concours de Cyrille, le fils de son cousin Nicolas, il s'attache à apprivoiser ce vignoble de 8ha, dont 7ha sont en production. Le premier travail a consisté à réaliser une étude approfondie des différents terroirs de la propriété ainsi qu'une réflexion sur les adéquations entre sols, porte-greffe et cépages. Les travaux de restructuration avancent bien avec aujourd'hui 4 hectares qui ont été replantés. Le bouquet affiche une très belle intensité avec des nuances de fruits frais ainsi que de notes crayeuses. Le vin est friand, dense, rond, harmonieux et parfaitement soutenu par des tannins puissants et d'une grande finesse. Un vin goûteux, invitant et prêt à passer du temps en cave. 2027-2040 - YB 01/2023

Suckling

This is one of the most structured L’Ifs I have had with currants and cherries, and chalk and salt undertones. Full and muscular. Long, long finish. The tannins and fruit go on and on. Give it three or four years to soften. - 03/2023

Dunnuck

Coming mostly from vines near Troplong Mondot and based on 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Château L'If is a smoking good Saint-Emilion that sports a deep ruby/purple hue, notes of ripe black fruits, chocolate, graphite, earth, and tobacco, full-bodied richness, and sweet, integrated tannins. The balance here is spot on, and while this opens up with air, it shows the structured, classic, incredibly impressive style of the vintage perfectly. Give bottles just 4-6 years if you can (it offers pleasure even today) and enjoy over the following two decades. - 03/2023