Canon la Gaffelière (BIO-ORGANIC) - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

Vinous

0

byNeal Martinthe2/28/2025

The 2020 Canon-la-Gaffelière is higher-toned on the nose than its peers, glossy with bold notes of black cherries and licorice. The palate is very ripe and sweet, with comparatively lower acidity, layers of rich black fruit and a velvety smooth, hoisin-tinged finish. It's a bit brash, although it will appeal to those seeking hedonism in their Right Bank 2020s. I'm not sure how representative this bottle is vis-à-vis previous showings, so I will seek to taste this again later. I tasted it blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Alexandre Ma

95

byAlexandre Mathe4/18/2023

Wine Advocate

95

byWilliam Kelleythe4/6/2023

A blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 Canon la Gaffelière offers up inviting aromas of dark berries, plums, burning embers, rose petals, incense and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, it's suave and perfumed, with melting, powdery tannins and a vibrant core of fruit. As ever, the elevated percentage of Cabernet Franc lends it a singular and compelling style.

Wine Spectator

95

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2023

Ripe, fresh and expressive, with beautiful mulberry, boysenberry and blackberry puree notes that work well with light sanguine, black tea and singed apple wood details throughout. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2029 through 2040. 5,500 cases made, 750 cases imported.

Jeb DUNNUCK

97

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

Quite possibly the finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted, the 2020 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière offers that rare mix of richness and elegance that makes this vintage so compelling. Classic notes of cassis, ripe black cherries, spring flowers, and truffly earth define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied and perfectly balanced, with beautiful tannins and a great finish. This is another stunningly good Saint-Emilion that will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and have 2-3 decades of overall longevity.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96

byJeff Levethe3/22/2023

In contention as one of the top vintages produced here, the wine is strong on its floral characteristics. Once past the opening bouquet of white flowers and dried roses you find plums, black cherries, black raspberries, mint and cigar wrapper nuances. The palate provides a lush, opulent, as well as vibrant, energetic backdrop for its wealth of deep red fruits and oceanic influences. The finish has a touch of salty chalk that adds complexity to its wealth of silky, ripe, red fruits. Drink from 2025-2050.

Alexandre Ma

95

byAlexandre Mathe3/15/2023

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Canon La Gaffelière is heady, sumptuous and totally exotic. A wine of depth and striking intensity, the 2020 possesses tremendous balance right out of the gate. Ripe red plum, blood orange, pomegranate, spice and leather all meld together effortlessly. There's real presence and depth here. Time in the glass brings out the purity of the flavors. The blend is 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. I can't wait to see how this ages

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Canon-la-Gaffelière has a vibrant and energetic bouquet driven by the 30% Cabernet Franc (from a massale selection) and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. This gives it a Left Bank slant in a positive sense, lending dimension. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, focused and saline, with a definite marine influence, undercurrents of brine and a touch of black olive compote. Beautifully composed on the finish, this is a delicious Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.

Wine Spectator

95

byJames Molesworththe11/30/2022

Ripe, fresh and expressive, with beautiful mulberry, boysenberry and blackberry puree notes that work well with light sanguine, black tea and singed apple wood details throughout. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2029 through 2040.

Vinous

94-96

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Canon La Gaffelière is a strict, severe wine, almost unnaturally so. At this stage, the 2020 is all acid and tannin, and yet behind that lies a vibrant core of fruit. The big Franc aromatics, often such a signature, are nowhere to be found. Inky red berry fruit, blood orange, spice and star anise emerge with a bit of coaxing, all framed by a spine of serious tannins that are at once incisive and well-balanced. Readers should plan on being patient, as the 2020 is going to need years to come around. Despite its reticence, the 2020 appears to have significant potential down the line.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

Lots of blue fruits, leafy herbs, chocolate, and earthy goodness emerge from the 2020 Château Canon-La-Gaffeliere, a medium to full-bodied, dense, focused, elegant Saint-Emilion that needs plenty of air to show at its best. The purity of fruit is remarkable, and while it starts out tight and focused, it blossoms with air, showing a more expansive, layered, rich yet still fresh texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. It’s a thrilling Saint-Emilion readers should snatch up.

Tastingbook.com

97

byMarkus Del Monegothe5/28/2021

Dark purple colour with violet hue and black core. Expressive nose with ripe sweet fruit reminiscent of dark berries, e.g mulberries, blackberries, elderberrie and blackcurrants. Subtle oak and refined spiciness, discreet oriental spices, kampot pepper in the blackground and a slightly smoky touch after some oxygen contact. On the palate well balanced with tamed opulence and freshness, ripe tannins and discreet acidity, refined fruit and noble spiciness.

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Canon-la-Gaffelière is beautifully defined on the nose, featuring lavish black cherries, boysenberry, tobacco and cracked black pepper aromas. This is endowed with impressive precision and the oak is very well integrated. The medium-bodied palate delivers sappy black fruit, fine balance and poise and a lightly spiced, edgy, almost citrus-like finish. Packed to the rafters with vim and vigor, this is a superb Saint-Émilion.

Decanter.com

94

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

Concentrated and intense, with juicy liquorice and blackberry flavours dominant on the attack. This is an excellent wine showing beautiful tension with slate and crushed stone texture. Chocolate shavings, bitter and intense, give a kick on the finish. Even better after 24 hours of opening, which is an extremely good sign for an en primeur sample. A yield of 32.5hl/ha. 50% new oak.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

The strong floral character is what you initially notice. From there you find mint, herbs, spice, smoke, tobacco and red berries on the nose. The wine shows a beautiful, vibrancy, with silky, elegant, flamboyant textures on the palate with a touch of chalk in the endnote. The wine lingers on the palate with all its ripe, sweet, plums and cherries in the finish. Blending 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Franc, if you can wait at least 5-7 years before pulling a cork, this is going to offer superb drinking for 20-25 years after that. 95-97

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe5/12/2021

Very refined and polished with minerally, almost salty character. Full body and beautiful, compact tannins. Racy finish. Excellent drive to this at the end.

Anthocyanes

93-95

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Menthol et très dominé par le bois, le nez de Canon-la-Gaffelière peine à s'exprimer. La bouche est beaucoup plus ouverte, plus aromatique avec une texture charnue et une trame tannique sur l'allonge. Attendons la fin des élevages pour être définitif.

Bernard Burtschy

97-98

byBernard Burtschythe5/10/2021

Falstaff

93-95

byPeter Moserthe5/10/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Mit kandierten Or- angenzesten unterlegte dunkle Waldbeeren, frische Herzkirschen, tabakige Würze, zart nach Edelholz. Saftig, feine Fruchtsüße, finessenreich strukturiert, feine, tragende Tannine, salzige Mineralität, rotbeerige Aspekte im Abgang, zarte Kräuter- würze im Nachhall, angenehm kalkiger Touch im Finale.

My Bettane + Desseauve

94

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021