L'If St.-Emilion 2020
$195
There is a lot to like here, from the lush display of steeped plum, blackberry and black currant fruit to the velvety structure coursing underneath, all while espresso crema, tobacco and warm earth notes fill in the finish. Shows the heat of the vintage, so think more near- to mid-term drinking. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035. 600 cases made.
Details
Wine Type and Color
Red Still
Magazine Issue
Mar 31, 2023
Primary Grape
Merlot
Merlot is one of the most important Bordeaux varieties along with Cabernet Sauvignon. It's fleshier and ripens earlier than Cabernet, resulting in softer wines with plush tannins and fruit. Bordeaux is the grape's native home, where it's the dominant grape in Right Bank appellations like Pomerol and St.-Emilion and plays a supportive role on the Left Bank. It has also gained an international presence, with a notable boom in California in the mid-1990s, both as a single-variety wine and as part of a blend. While France and California are the most important growers of Merlot, versions from Italy, Australia, Washington, New York and more are worth seeking out.
Other Grapes
Cabernet Franc
Region
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L'If St.-Emilion 2020
There is a lot to like here, from the lush display of steeped plum, blackberry and black currant fruit to the velvety structure coursing underneath, all while espresso crema, tobacco and warm earth notes fill in the finish. Shows the heat of the vintage, so think more near- to mid-term drinking. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035. 600 cases made.
Details
Wine Type and Color
Red Still
Magazine Issue
Mar 31, 2023
Primary Grape
Merlot
Merlot is one of the most important Bordeaux varieties along with Cabernet Sauvignon. It's fleshier and ripens earlier than Cabernet, resulting in softer wines with plush tannins and fruit. Bordeaux is the grape's native home, where it's the dominant grape in Right Bank appellations like Pomerol and St.-Emilion and plays a supportive role on the Left Bank. It has also gained an international presence, with a notable boom in California in the mid-1990s, both as a single-variety wine and as part of a blend. While France and California are the most important growers of Merlot, versions from Italy, Australia, Washington, New York and more are worth seeking out.
Other Grapes
Cabernet Franc
