Château L’If 2025

Château L'If is a Saint-Émilion estate in Bordeaux, part of the group around Jacques Thienpont, the family behind some of the right bank's most respected wines. This red is led by Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon, the classic right-bank pairing. Saint-Émilion's mix of clay and limestone soils suits Merlot, which ripens early and gives soft, plush fruit, while the limestone holds freshness and lends a savoury, mineral edge; the Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and dark fruit. The maritime Bordeaux climate gives a long, even growing season. The wine is aged for twelve months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange through the wood softens the tannins and knits the components together, adding cedar and spice. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows fresh cherry and red berries, rose petal and a hint of new oak, with earth and tobacco behind. The palate is medium bodied and elegant, the tannins fine and the structure carrying a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 degrees, decanting ahead. It suits classic red meat dishes.