Château La Gaffelière

5/7/2019 WeinWisser WEINWISSER : 17 / 20 5/3/2019 Vinous VINOUS (ANTONIO GALLONI) : 94-97 / 100 The 2018 La Gaffelière is once again one of the finest and most pedigreed wines in Saint-Émilion and all of Bordeaux for that matter. The high percentage of Cabernet Franc (37%) gives the wine striking aromatic nuance and complexity, as well as fabulous drive. Rose petal, sage, mint and blood orange all soar out of the glass in a stunning Saint-Émilion loaded with class and personality. Consulting winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt has turned out another gem at this revitalized property. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc. 5/3/2019 Bettane & Desseauve BETTANE & DESSEAUVE ( BETTANE & DESSEAUVE) : 96-97 / 100 Très belle réussite grâce aux cabernets francs qui équilibrent la trame du début à la fin de bouche. Le grain calcaire étire le vin de façon magistrale. 5/1/2019 Beck YVESBECK.WINE (YVES BECK) : 95-96 / 100 58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc Rouge grenat violacé. Bouquet fruité et frais avec des notes de baies rouges et une agréable touche de bois de réglisse. Je relève également une touche florale avec des notes de violettes. Au palais, le vin reflète bien la fraîcheur constatée au nez. Il est juteux, compact, équilibré et a du pep. Les tannins sont dotés d’un grain fin et ont la matière nécessaire pour s’accommoder de la vivacité de la structure. Belle intensité aromatique, dès la mise en bouche et jusqu’en finale. Finale fruitée et persistante. Un Gaffelière de caractère qui a de quoi aller dans le temps et sur lequel il faudra savoir patienter. 2025-2050 4/24/2019 La Revue du Vin de France LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE : 17,5-18,5 / 20 4/23/2019 The Wine Cellar Insider THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER (JEFF LEVE) : 92-94 / 100 Lush, polished and pure, the wine has a roundness to the fruit, flesh, concentration, silky tannins and a floral, licorice, espresso, cocoa and red pit fruit, plummy finish. 4/23/2019 Wine Advocate WINE ADVOCATE (LISA PERROTTI-BROWN) : 94-96 / 100 Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 La Gaffeliere reveals classically sophisticated scents of ripe black plums, warm blackberries and cigar box with touches of star anise, dried Provence herbs, chocolate mint and truffles. Full-bodied, it has a solid backbone of ripe, rounded tannins and lovely freshness lifting the densely layered fruit to a long finish. 4/12/2019 Jamessuckling.com JAMESSUCKLING.COM (JAMES SUCKLING) : 95-96 / 100 The blue-fruit and sea-salt character is fascinating in this. Full-bodied yet tight and very focused. It really lasts for minutes on the palate. Forceful but full of finesse as well. 4/8/2019 Quarin JEAN-MARC QUARIN (JEAN-MARC QUARIN) : 95 / 100 4/3/2019 Wine Spectator WINE SPECTATOR (JAMES MOLESWORTH) : 94-97 / 100 Features a beautiful beam of cassis, bitter cherry and raspberry fruit streaming through, laced with chalky minerality and backed by floral and spice accents, all allied to a polished, luxurious feel that doesn't sacrifice definition or drive. 4/1/2019 Decanter.com DECANTER.COM (JANE ANSON) : 96 / 100 You can feel the excitement building around this estate following extensive replanting and refocussing. The frost of 2017 changed the blend a little, and they decided to stick with it as they liked the results so much - meaning they are using less of the vineyard for the grand vin. Whatever they are doing, it works. This has rich creaminess through the mid-palate that balances the austerity and salinity of the limestone terroir, and the brambled autumnal fruit is ripe and very much to the fore. It's a delicious, complex yet pared-back wine with layers of tannin that cradle rather than crush. A brilliant Gaffeliere. I tasted the individual components at the estate a few weeks ago, and it's great to see how they've assembled the final blend. Harvested between 10 September and 9 October. 60% new oak. 3.57pH. IPT 76. Drinking Window 2027 - 2040 4/1/2019 Wine Enthusiast WINE ENTHUSIAST (ROGER VOSS) : 95-97 / 100 Barrel Sample. Fine tannins with a bold structure bond with the succulent fruit. A high proportion of Cabernet Franc perfumes and delicious blackberry fruits sustain its richness. It will age well.