French people’s love for romance is often intertwined with their appreciation for fine food and wine. They have an expression, dîner en tête-à-tête, which means a romantic dinner; something that even couples together for years continue to do regularly.

With Valentine’s day around the corner, the reality is that the pandemic may have left you feeling more stressed and fatigued than in the mood for romance. Or maybe you’re single and not feeling it this year. Regardless of whether you’ll be celebrating the holiday or not, a delicious dinner goes hand in hand (main dans la main) with a good bottle of French wine.

And if it just so happens that l’amour is in the air, then it goes tête-à-tête too.

Chateau l'Evangile

Château L’Evangile is located in Pomerol, a small, quality-focused appellation on the northeast side (the “right bank”) of Bordeaux’s Gironde River. The property was purchased in 1990 by Eric de Rothschild whose company, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), includes several highly-regarded estates in Bordeaux, as well as in the south of France, Argentina, Chile and China.

The château, along with its more famous neighbors Pétrus and Cheval Blanc, is considered one of the best wineries in Pomerol. The vineyards of the 54-acre property have been, for many years, farmed in an organic way, without the use of chemicals, and this year Château de L’Evangile will receive its organic certification.

Blason de L’Evangile Tasting Notes

Blason de L’Evangile, the winery’s second label, is made from the property’s younger vines which bring freshness to this rather rich wine. While lighter in style than the winery’s top wine, Blason still offers rich fruit and strong, but velvety, tannins.

The 2014 is a blend of 93% Merlot, a variety known for richness and suppleness, with 7% Cabernet Franc, a grape that gives heft, along with savory spice notes. On the nose, Blason de l’Evangile has opulent aromas of fresh blackberries and dark stone fruits (plums and black cherries), with a hint of toasted and vanilla-scented notes. On the palate, the wine has great intensity with dense, silky, ripe tannins, and a long, powerful finish.

I tasted this wine (provided as a sample) during a webinar with a group of wine professionals who went gaga over it, myself included. The written comments ranged from “I’m in love” and “sublime,” to “WONDERFUL,” “Bold and rich, fresh, earthy and balanced” and “Full-bodied, elegant and flavorful.” You couldn't ask for a better endorsement than that!

The wine, a faithful embodiment of intensity and elegance, can be enjoyed now or over the course of the next 10 to 15 years. Find the wine (SRP $75) on www.wine-searcher.com.