L'If 2021

L’if is yet another cult wine produced by Jaques Thienpont.  If the name rings a bell, that’s because it is associated with one of the most sought-after wines on the Right Bank – Le Pin.  The Thienponts have a profound respect for nature, especially trees, and have fittingly named all their properties after them.  Le Pin was named after the single, solitary pine tree growing in a place of prominence on the Pomerol property.  Their Castillon property L’Hêtre was named after the beech tree, and the small Saint-Émilion estate L’if takes its name from the Yew tree.  Yew trees are symbolically associated with regeneration.  It is the perfect symbol associated with the life-cycle of the vine – always changing, always growing, and getting stronger with age.

L’if is a fairly young estate and is still a considered by the Thienpont family to be a “work in progress.”  Given the high scores, it is clear the Thienponts are an exceptionally humble sort.  The estate was purchased in 2010 by Jaques Thienpont, who gave it the name L’if.  Like many of the Thienpont properties, L’if was a small plot situated on the Saint-Émilion plateau called Château Le Haut-Plantey.  It was just .5 hectares of vines.  Since then, the Thienponts have expanded the holdings of this estate steadily over time to 8 hectares.  The Thienponts are a powerful family in the Right Bank.  It is no small feat that the three properties they run – Le Pin, L’Hêtre and L’if have all achieved cult status, with Le Pin retailing for several thousands of dollars a bottle.  Fortunately, L’if and L’Hêtre both share a more accessible price tag, allowing oenophiles to discover the impressive winemaking skills of the Thienponts.  The estate is presently managed by Cyrille Thienpont – Jacques Thienpont’s cousin. 

The property is planted with 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc.  These vines thrive in the nutrient dense chalky limestone and clay soils.  The property has some excellent neighbors, like the estates Troplong Mondot and La Mondotte. When the estate was purchased in 2010, an extensive soil study was done to see which varietals and cover crops thrived in certain plots.  Cabernet Sauvignon was initially planted there, but the majority of it was removed because the soil was more compatible with Cabernet Franc.  The Thienponts are hoping to add more Cabernet Franc vines to the property in the future and steadily ramp up production at the estate.  The wine is vinified in stainless steel, and the wines are aged in 50% new French oak barrels.

L’if is an incredibly beguiling and stylish Saint-Émilion, with tremendous ageing potential.  During good vintages, the wine can age for 10 – 15 years.  Production at L’if is small, at under 1,000 cases per year, making this wine hard to find and cementing its cult status.  As the Thienponts continue to plant this fledgling vineyard, production will increase with time.  Till then, this gem of a wine is well worth the purchase – especially for those who appreciate the know-how of the Thienpont family. 

"Based on 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc raised in 50% new French oak, the 2021 L'If has a saturated ruby hue to go with beautiful aromatics of black raspberries, smoked earth, tobacco, and candied violets. This beauty is ripe, medium to full-bodied, has remarkable freshness and purity, and a great finish. Made by Cyrille Thienpont (Pavie Macquin, Larcis-Ducasse), this terrific Saint-Emilion will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly over the following 10-12+ years." - Jeb Dunnuck, Bordeaux 2021 From Bottle (4/3/2024) Ratings: 93 Drink: 2026-2040

"A blend of 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 L'If shows considerable potential, and if it evolves as well as I suspect it will during élevage, it may make my score seem conservative. Offering up aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with loamy soil, black truffles and sweet forest floor, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, with velvety tannins and a bright spine of acidity, concluding with a long, saline finish." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (4/29/2022) Ratings: (92-94)

''Cyrille Thienpont is in charge here, and he has teased out attractive blueberry fruits, along with graphite, pencil lead and gunsmoke. Chalky tannins reflect the clay-limestone soils, this is full of pleasure, even while austerity is gripping the finish. Highest percentage of Cabernet Franc to date, after including recent plantings. 50% new oak. Harvest October 2 to 16.'' Jane Anson, Best Pomerol 2020 Wines Tasted En Primeur (4/7/2022) Ratings: 90 Drink: 2026-2036