Canon la Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1997

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2000

An exotic, thick, rich wine, this 1997 reveals a dense plum/purple color in addition to sumptuous aromatics of vanilla, licorice, Asian spices, roasted coffee, and jammy black cherry and berry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with silky tannin and low acidity, this thick, seamless, exotic St.-Emilion should drink well for 12-15 years. It is an impressive effort.

Wine Spectator

87 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/31/2000

Lovely perfumes of tobacco, cedar, berry and earth. Medium-bodied, with firm tannins and a slightly short finish. Drink now through 2003.

Wine Advocate

89-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1999

This sensational wine exhibits an opaque black/purple color, in addition to an exotic nose of cappuccino as well as black fruits intermixed with licorice and toasty new oak. It offers an opulent, sexy, full-bodied palate, terrific fruit intensity, low acidity, and hedonistic levels of glycerin. This succulent, massive 1997 will be drinkable young, yet keep for 15 or more years. A gorgeous wine for the vintage! Anticipated maturity: 2001-2014.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1998

This is one of the few 1997s that reminded me of how certain 1982s tasted at a similar age. It is an explosive, opulently-textured, knock-out wine that coats the palate with superb levels of flavor and glycerin. The saturated black/purple color is accompanied by evolved aromas and flavors of pain grille, smoke, licorice, olives, and blackberries/cassis. Unctuous in the mouth, with superb concentration, low acidity, and a blockbuster finish, this is a luxuriantly rich, decadent Canon-La-Gaffeliere that should drink well young and last for 12 or more years. Very impressive! Sadly, the 1997 production was tiny, with less than 35% of the harvest going into proprietor Stephan de Neipperg's grand vin.