2019 Chateau L'If

品飲筆記：2019 年 L'If 散發出紅黑果實的濃郁香氣──酸櫻桃、野生覆盆子與細緻花香相伴，隨後轉為黑櫻桃、巧克力裹覆的李子和甘草的複雜層次。口感圓潤飽滿，奶油般的質地緊貼舌面，紮實而柔順的單寧慢慢展開，尾韻帶有礦物和一絲煙燻感，收束悠長。
酒莊與產區：酒款來自聖艾美濃（Saint-Emilion），Jacques Thienpont 重返家族根源，在特級園附近取得地塊，秉持傳統與現代手法兼顧的理念釀酒。
釀造與陳年：以桶熟成 12–16 個月（約半數全新橡木桶，其餘二次使用），強調保留果味同時帶出橡木香與結構。葡萄園位於黏土與石灰黏土地帶，土壤賦予酒款明顯的礦物感與深度。
飲用建議：此酒結構成熟，若現在飲建議醒酒約 90 分鐘；搭配燒烤羊肉、燉牛肉或野味、或濃郁菇類料理最合拍。整體語氣優雅但不矯飾，口感飽滿又具層次感。

Tasting Note: Plush and concentrated, the 2019 L'If opens with a perfume of morello cherries, wild raspberries and a floral lift. Layers of dark, chocolate-coated plum and black cherry follow, joined by licorice, spice and an earthy, mineral backbone. The palate is richly textured and creamy, with velvety yet firm tannins and a long, saline-tinged finish.
Producer Notes: Jacques Thienpont has returned to Saint-Emilion, acquiring vineyards near Troplong Mondot and Château Valandraud; L'If reflects that family heritage and ambition, combining classic Saint-Emilion structure with modern depth.
Winemaking Notes: Fermented and matured 12–16 months in oak (approximately 50% new, 50% second fill), with careful élevage to preserve fruit while adding gentle oak spice and polish. Bottled under cork, the 2019 shows both power and finesse.
Vineyard Notes: Sourced from Saint-Emilion AOC sites on clay and limestone-clay soils across about 8 hectares. The terroir contributes a firm minerality and ripe, concentrated fruit profile. Drinking window extends for decades; decant for about 90 minutes if enjoying now.
Serving: Best served at 16–18°C. Ideal with roasted or grilled red meats, game and rich mushroom dishes.

Specification

• Alcohol %: 14.4 - 14.5%
• Decant Time: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
• Taste: morello cherry, wild raspberry, black cherry, chocolate-coated plum, floral lift, licorice, wet earth / forest floor, spice, creamy texture, velvety tannins, smoky / toasted oak, saline / crushed stone finish, long lush finish
• Food Matching: roast lamb, grilled steak / flank steak, braised beef (short ribs), venison and other game, mushroom-based dishes, hearty meat pies
• Grape Variety: Merlot , Cabernet Franc ,

Winery

紫杉莊園（Chateau l'If）：由 Thienpont 家族在聖艾美濃的心臟地帶經營，Jacques Thienpont 回歸家族產區，重視小範圍、以風土為本的栽培與嚴謹釀造。葡萄園多為黏土與石灰黏土，酒款強調果實飽滿與橡木陳年帶來的細緻口感。

Chateau l'If: A Saint-Emilion project tied to the Thienpont family, Jacques Thienpont's acquisition returns him to the right bank and nearby prestigious neighbours. The estate focuses on small-scale, terroir-driven wines that combine ripe fruit concentration with barrel élevage to add texture and spice.