L’IF 2025 – Saint-Émilion: 97 Pts

L’If is one of the most exclusive and sought-after estates in Saint-Émilion. Created by the Thienpont family, who also own the renowned Château Le Pin, the estate has quickly established itself as one of the leading references on Bordeaux’s Right Bank thanks to its uncompromising approach and very limited production.

The vineyard is planted on a remarkable terroir of clay and limestone soils, providing ideal conditions for producing wines that combine depth, freshness, and precision. Low yields and meticulous vineyard work allow for an exceptionally pure expression of the terroir.

The 2025 vintage impresses with its outstanding balance and remarkable aromatic finesse. The nose reveals aromas of black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum, complemented by floral notes, graphite, liquorice, and delicate spices.

On the palate, the attack is precise and elegant. The wine is concentrated without heaviness, supported by silky tannins and remarkable freshness. The overall impression is one of superb harmony between concentration, tension, and refinement.

The finish is long, complex, and persistent, marked by nuances of dark fruits, minerality, and fine spicy notes.

L’If 2025 perfectly embodies the philosophy of the estate: a wine of great precision, refined and deeply shaped by its terroir, with excellent ageing potential and destined to evolve gracefully over the years.

The Estate – L’If

L’If is a discreet and highly sought-after estate in Saint-Émilion, founded by the Thienpont family, who are also behind the prestigious Château Le Pin. Since its creation, the estate has rapidly established itself as one of the most desirable references on Bordeaux’s Right Bank thanks to its uncompromising approach and deliberately limited production.

The vineyard covers approximately 8 hectares on the heights of Saint-Émilion, on a terroir composed mainly of clay and limestone soils. This combination provides excellent water regulation and allows the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness while preserving freshness and balance.

The vineyard is dominated by Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc. The vines are cultivated with particular attention to terroir expression and low yields, ensuring grapes of exceptional concentration and quality.

Vinification is carried out with precision and restraint in order to preserve the purity of the fruit and the identity of the terroir. Ageing in oak barrels brings structure, complexity, and depth while respecting the wine’s natural elegance.

Today, L’If is regarded as one of the most promising and sought-after estates in Saint-Émilion, producing refined, precise, and profound wines whose rarity contributes to their growing reputation among wine enthusiasts and collectors around the world.