A beautiful L’Evangile and one of the vintage’s top successes, the color still retains a very dense ruby/purple with only a bit of lightening at the edge. A classic nose of liquid intermixed with black raspberries., blackberries, licorice, and a hint of truffle jumps from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, very concentrated, well-balanced, sweet, authoritatively powerful yet at the same time elegant wine. It has reached full maturity , where it should rest for some time to come. Anticipated maturity: Now-2017. - Robert Parker

The 1985 L'Evangile is a Pomerol that took many years to come round—bottles were still quite impenetrable after 20 years. Now, after almost 40 years, this is probably my favourite vintage for the estate after the 1989. Slightly darker in colour, this offers black fruit, black truffle and leather as more loamy scents surface with aeration. I appreciate the complexity of this Pomerol. The palate holds onto that structure and grip (I wonder if it underwent a longer maceration than normal?). With lightly spiced red fruit and hints of bacon fat, this L'Evangile is now at its peak. Tasted at the 1985 dinner at Noble Rot Mayfair. -- Neal Martin

The 1985 l’Evangile has long had a stellar reputation, as this was the first vintage at the estate after its purchase by Lafite-Rothschild, and this most recent bottle at our October tasting showed beautifully. The deep, pure and flamboyant nose jumps from the glass in a blend of roasted plums, black cherries, mocha, herb tones, a dollop of cigar smoke and plenty of toasty new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite suave and velvety on the attack, with a fine core of fruit, melting tannins and excellent length and grip on the focused and very classy finish. A lovely vintage of l’Evangile that is making good on the considerable promise of its youth, but is certainly a bit more polished in style than the wines made here prior to the sale to Lafite.