Chateau La Gaffeliere 2018

Château La Gaffeliere, Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Bordeaux, France, 2018

Grape blend: 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Franc, 22ha of (PGCC) vineyards on clay/limestone soils, 35 year old vines, hand-picked, yield 32hl/ha, 14-16 months ageing in French oak (50% new each year)

The chateau is situated south of the town of St Emilion, neighbouring both Ausone and Pavie, and has been rated a Premier Grand Cru Classe ever since the first classification in the region in 1959.

"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."

(95-96/100) points, James Suckling, 2019

"Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Gaffeliere is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to offer peeks at notions of stewed red and black plums, mulberries and Morello cherries, plus hints of damp earth, tar and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound, delivering crunchy red and black fruits with an approachable texture of fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long with a lifted perfume. This is a refreshing, beautifully perfumed and skillfully crafted expression of the vintage. Give it 4-5 years in bottle and then enjoy it over the next 20 years+"

97/100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, WINE ADVOCATE, March 2021