Château Canon-La-Gaffelière Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classé) 2018 (750ml)

Château La Gaffelière seems emerging from History.

Through the presence of its vines since the Gallo-Roman era, its name dragged from the leprous hospital or « gaffet » in the mediaeval epoch, and the owners grand genealogy ; the Malet Roquefort family, living for 4 centuries in Saint-Emilion, is acknowledged as the most ancient family of the area.

The Castel itself relays, through its architecture, modes and inspirations of numerous generations. It's in this way that we can see a fifteenth century vaulted kitchen, discover a nineteenth century pigeon house - become a pool-house at the end of the twentieth century -, and pass through a seventeenth and eighteenth centuries wing which shelters the reception rooms.

This heredity confers to the Malet Roquefort family a motivating responsibility that the actual owner, the Count Léo de Malet Roquefort, builds on to renovate of course, but also to perpetuate the traditions which have allowed expanding the fame of Château La Gaffelière all around the world.

The choice of grape varieties is rather atypical for the appellation in light of the soil: almost a perfect 50/50 divide between Merlot and Cabernet. The Cabernets ripen early and remarkably well on Canon La Gaffelière's warm soil, adding power and aromatic complexity to Merlot's opulence to create wines of natural elegance and finesse.

Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere's terroir consists of clay-limestone and clay-sand soil that is very permeable and particularly efficient at retaining heat. Reflecting the estate's soil, the proportions of grape varieties are rather atypical for the appellation: a perfect 50/50 divide between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon ripens early on Canon La Gaffeliere's warm soil, adding power and aromatic complexity to Merlot's opulence to create wines of natural elegance and finesse. The wine is classy, remarkably well-structured, complex, pure, and always elegant.

Blend: 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

Critical Acclaim

WS96
Wine Spectator

This has a lovely core of mulled cassis, damson plum and raspberry reduction notes, framed with an applewood note that integrates nicely while red tea, savory and chalky mineral notes develop through the finish. Restrained style, precise and very long. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2038.

JS96
James Suckling

Fantastic depth and richness to the nose with plums, mushrooms, bark and some mahogany. Full-bodied, tight and focused with very fine tannins and a long, creamy finish. Lovely polish, balance and clarity. Drink after 2025.

WE96
Wine Enthusiast
This already shows sophistication in a stream of black currant fruit set alongside the firm tannins that are still developing. Its structure and juicy berry fruits give richness and freshness at the end while also promising aging.
Barrel Sample: 94-96
RP96
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Canon la Gaffeliere out of the gate delivers a seductive nose of plum preserves, kirsch and Black Forest cake with nuances of lilacs, underbrush, Indian spices and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is filled with black fruit preserves and loads of spicy accents, supported by chewy tannins and well-balanced freshness, finishing long and savory. Rating: 95+

D95
Decanter

This has the clear edge over La Mondotte for me because it combines the polish and glamour of a St-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé with the salt taffy tang of limestone. Still a silky texture but a more attractive slate edge coming in on the finish to temper the sweet fruit and slow things down. A highly impressive wine. The harvest ran from 19 September to 4 October. 50% new oak. Certified organic. Drinking Window 2028 - 2045

JD95
Jeb Dunnuck

Another beautiful vintage for this cuvée, the 2018 Château Canon La Gaffelière is based on 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, brought up in 50% new French oak, with the balance all in used barrels. It's never the biggest or richest wine in the vintage yet always has a classic Saint-Emilion elegance as well as brilliant minerality. The 2018 reveals a dense purple hue to go with an already complex bouquet of kirsch, blackberries, new saddle leather, bouquet garni, tobacco, and flowery incense. With medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish, it builds nicely with time in the glass and is a complex, flawlessly balanced Saint-Emilion that offers both hedonistic and intellectual pleasure. It's going to keep for 20-30 years, and I'd recommend a healthy decant or a good 4-6 years of bottle age.