WTN: 1993 L'Evangile, Pomerol

[Jenise]

Took a bottle of this to Vancouver today to share over lunch with my pal Henry. Lovely merlot nose, with some secondary development. On the palate, a bit harsh with more acid than fruit. We hoped it would open up a bit but over two hours it did not, and though it was far better with food than without the wine is clearly in decline. Thanks Dale for warning me, I only bought one bottle.

Jenise: Do you think this was just this vintage, or is out-of-balance acidity a problem with L'Evangile in general?

I hope not-I have a 1999 waiting.

Brian:
I'm not Jenise, but I don't think you'll find the '99 Evangile acidic. A nice wine (if any problem, it's lower acidity). I personally would wait a couple years- it was pretty tannic at release- but think you'll be pleased.

Jenise, too bad about the wine. I like some '93s but at this point I'm not in buying mode, unless (a) prices are firesale AND (b) I can try one bottle first.

As far as bargain hunting, hard to find deals from 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996 Leftbank, 1998 Right Bank now. If I was bargain hunting, I'd take chances on (in order):
'94
'98 LB
'79
'81
'93
'96 RB
'97

Total crapshoot:
'92 (except HB & LLC)
'87
'84
'91
'80

[Jenise]

Brian, your 99 will be fine, this was just a very poor vintage for L'Evangile.

Dale, it was worth the chance at the $30ish I paid. I bid on it before asking for advice, then declined the opportunity to take additional bottles after getting your take on it. I've only bought about four wines from the vintage, and only because the prices were so low I just couldn't resist. This was the only one that didnt pay off so I'm not complaining.

To your list of exceptions on the total crapshoot list, I'd add 92 Ausone and 91 Latour. Not that these go begging.