2017 L'If

96 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2017 L'If is fabulous. Rich and dense in the glass, the 2017 possesses off-the-charts intensity and vertical explosiveness. Black cherry, chocolate, licorice, smoke and dried flowers infuse the 2017 with tremendous complexity as well as nuance. The tannins are pretty much buried by the sheer depth of the fruit, while bright floral and spice notes punctuate the super-expressive finish.

94 POINTS

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

Truffle, licorice and ripe black cherries command your attention immediately. On the palate, the wine is supple in texture with a profundity of fruit and glossy, silk tannins that are impossible to overlook. With a touch of jam in the back note. Everything is in balance from the start all the way through to the plum, vanilla, chocolate and boysenberry filled finish. This is quite an accomplishment for the vintage. The wine is made from blending 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.51

92 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

Quite pure and very focused, with delightful cherry, plum and raspberry fruit dancing through. Flashes of floral and spice notes line the finish, with sleek acidity.—J.M.

91 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2017 L’If includes an additional hectare this year, one of four replanted after it was purchased by Jacques Thienpont and it includes some Cabernet Franc. It was picked between 28 September and 4 October with hardly any vines touched by frost. It has a very lucid purple hue. The bouquet is quite opulent and very pure, quite focused and gaining in clarity in the glass with copious blueberry, cassis and pastille like aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. It might not be the most complex L’If I have tasted but I like the salinity that comes through in its final third. Give this three or four years in bottle.

91 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Blended of 91% Merlot with 9% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 L'If is deep garnet-purple in color, featuring beautiful crushed red cherries and black raspberries on the nose with underlying black plums, baking spices and roses notes plus a waft of Sichuan pepper. Medium-bodied with wonderfully elegant tannins and beautiful freshness, it has well-sustained mid-palate fruit and a long, earth-laced finish.

90 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

This is a lovely L'If, a perky violet colour with a beautifully fresh and bouncy character. The estate wasn't affected by frost, and the harvest took place between 28-30 September for Merlot, and 4 October for Cabernet Franc. Several new plots are due to come on over the next few years. 3.52pH. Drinking Window 2024 - 2038

90 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

This is a lovely L'If, a perky violet colour with a beautifully fresh and bouncy character. The estate wasn't affected by frost, and the harvest took place between 28-30 September for Merlot, and 4 October for Cabernet Franc. Several new plots are due to come on over the next few years. 3.52pH. Drinking Window 2024 - 2038