2017 L'If - Saint-Émilion - 3 Bottiglie (0,75 L)

L'If is a Bordeaux Right Bank wine estate in the Saint-Émilion appellation, known for its red wine blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and for its association with Le Pin.

The property was purchased by Jacques Thienpont in 2010. Previously, it had been known as Château La Bouygue.

The name was changed to echo that of the new owner's famous Pomerol estate. Le Pin is named after a pine tree on the property, while L'If is the French word for a yew tree, which now features prominently on the label. However, presumably to help with pronunciation, the 2010 was labelled Leaf (omitting the yew image) for the US market.

Vineyard
Thienpoint's acquisition included around 5 hectares (12.4 acres) of vines. Other parcels have been added to take the holdings to 8 ha (19.8 acres). The main part of the vineyard is situated to the east of Saint-Émilion village, not far from Château-Troplong Mondot, with the remainder around one mile away.

Plantings are around 70 percent Merlot and 30 percent Cabernet Franc. A small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon has now been ripped out.

The vines are managed in 14 different parcels, some of which have recently been left fallow during a period of replanting. This restricted output of most of the vintages between 2010 and 2020 to no more than 1000 cases.

Winemaking
Grapes are vinified in conical, temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wine is then aged in French barrels, with a 50:50 split of new and second-use oak, for 12 to 16 months before bottling.