2019 Château La Gaffelière

Description

96   Jane Anson
“The most gorgeous depth and complexity through the palate, with touches of mineral pulsing and salinity on the finish, a ton of brambled blackberry, raspberry puree, tobacco leaf, leather and raspberry leaf fruit. 60% new oak. Brilliant wine. Owned by the Malet-Roquefort family since 1715, with Stephane Derenoncourt consultant since 2004. I love this, and it has delivered on its En Primeur promise.” (11/2021)

96   James Suckling
“A vibrant, fragrant red with aromas of blackberries, currants, walnuts and mint chocolate. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Pretty walnut notes on the polished finish. Fantastic length. Driven acidity and focus. Try in 2025.” (2/2022)

96   Antonio Galloni for Vinous
“The 2019 La Gaffelière is just as impressive as it was en primeur. Bright and tightly wound, La Gaffelière sizzles with energy. Dark red fruit, mocha, blood orange, mint and dried flowers lend striking aromatic presence. There is some youthful austerity here, but nothing time in bottle won’t take care of.” (1/2022)

95   Georgie Hindle for Decanter
“A rich and round nose, bursting with ripe fruit aromas. Plump and voluptuous on the palate all while having excellent acidity that really lifts it up, so you have depth but also this real aerial aspect. Tannins are smooth and really well framed and this is super fresh. Delicate yet deep, round yet layered with chalky minerality. Elegant and engaging.” (1/2022)

95   William Kelley for Wine Advocate
“The 2019 La Gaffelière wafts from the glass with a rich bouquet of blackberries and cherries mingled with subtle hints of burning embers and loamy soil that’s framed by a deft application of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, it’s a concentrated, vibrant wine built around bright acids and fine, powdery tannins. Its vivid fruit tones and classical balance make this Cabernet Franc-rich blend a promising candidate for sustained bottle age. Anyone who has tasted the great wines this estate produced in the 1950s and 1960s knows how great this site can be; and with stricter selection as well as the elimination of fruit from vines growing on the plain from the blend, that potential appears to be being unleashed at last.” (4/2022)