Aromas of blackberries, dried mushrooms and iodine. Sweet tobacco and cloves to boot. Full body and a creamy texture that the limestone imparts. Very persistent. Impressive drive and precision. Try in 2022.

Jacques Thienpont's 2015 L'If has really come together over the last two years. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, with tremendous fruit density, the 2015 is beautifully layered from start to finish. Expressive aromatics lift over a core of black cherry, chocolate, spice, espresso and new French oak. This is a big, potent wine, and yet it also exudes nuance and delineation. Simply put, the 2015 L'If is superb. vinous.com, February 2018

The 2015 L'If is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc this year and it was matured in around 50% new oak. It has a very ravishing and opulent bouquet with macerated small red cherries, blueberry and a hint of powdered chocolate, probably from the new oak, and that seems to quickly dissipate. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, a pinch of white pepper, nicely structured and showing great style on the finish. "That's bloody good," commented Fiona Morrison behind me, and I would not disagree. In fact, over five to ten minutes, this Saint Emilion gained precision and harmony. This is a strong follow-up to the 2014, although let's wait until bottling to see if it is better.

Tasted blind. Intense and spicy and zesty with real energy and not too much exaggeration. My fellow tasters criticised it for being too stalky and high-acid and not tasting of Le Pin! (JR)