The 2022 Chateau l’If is a Bordeaux Blend from the Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Chateau L’If, is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc and is sealed with a traditional cork closure. As a product of the 2022 vintage, it has garnered significant acclaim from various professional reviewers.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the 2022 Chateau l’If a score of 95 points. William Kelley describes the wine as having “aromas of raspberries, cherries, spices and bay leaf,” noting its “medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy” nature. Kelley commends the wine for its “lively acids and fine, chalky tannins,” highlighting the blend’s precise composition and the decision to reduce pump-overs, which resulted in a “suave Saint-Émilion” even in a structured vintage.

Jane Anson also rated this wine highly with 93 points, praising its “deep plum colour with violet reflections” and “limestone intensity and grip.” Anson noted the “fragrant floral aromatics” and the “bitter edge of black chocolate, fennel and aniseed, cassis fruits.” She further mentions the technical details, such as the harvest period from September 14 to 26, the 50% new oak aging, and the 3.52 pH.

Vinous, represented by Antonio Galloni, matched the high praise with 95 points, calling the 2022 Chateau l’If a “powerhouse.” Galloni describes it as an “exotic mélange of blackberry jam, bittersweet chocolate, licorice, cloves and menthol” with “huge, imposing tannins.” He remarks on the wine’s brooding and virile nature, suggesting that it will be interesting to see how it evolves with age.

Decanter gave the wine 93 points, noting its “vivid and bright purple colour” and a nose of “milk chocolate, salted caramel, blueberries, blackcurrants and cherry.” The review highlights the wine’s “lively and clean, crisp and fresh” character, emphasizing its structured depth and refined finish.

James Suckling provided an outstanding review with a near-perfect score of 99 points. He praises the wine’s “gorgeous and very fine tannins” with a “fine velvet texture” and “wonderful berry, chocolate and hazelnut character.” Suckling describes the wine as “medium-bodied with round and balanced tannins” and a “serenity and a crunchy finish.”

Jeb Dunnuck also praised the wine with 96 points, calling it a “mineral-bomb” with “black raspberry fruit and floral nuances.” Dunnuck highlights its “full-bodied richness, layered, ripe, textured mouthfeel, and outstanding length,” suggesting it will benefit from bottle aging and has significant longevity.

Finally, The Wine Independent rated it 95 points, describing it as “deep garnet-purple in color” with “notions of juicy raspberries, plum preserves, and fresh blackberries.” The review notes the wine’s “firm fine-grained backbone of tannins and lovely tension,” finishing long and fragrant.

Overall, the 2022 Chateau l’If is a highly regarded wine with a spectrum of flavors and a well-structured profile, promising a rewarding experience for wine enthusiasts.