Canon la Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2005

Vinous

93 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/15/2021

The 2005 Canon La Gaffelière is a big wine. Inky red fruit, mocha, espresso, licorice, dried flowers, mint and tobacco all flesh out in the glass. Although the 2005 possesses remarkable density, the aromatics seem to be travelling on a faster trajectory. That said, the cork on this bottle was not perfect. Readers who own the 2005 will want to check in on it. 93?

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe6/12/2018

The mix of loganberry, black currant and black cherry fruit has begun to shift into a secondary phase here, but there is still ample vibrancy, with a racy mineral streak and lively anise, apple wood and floral notes. The long, refined finish is still a touch tight. On the verge of hitting its stride. Best from 2020 through 2035. 5,750 cases made.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

This fragrant, lush, seductive wine offers up plum, Christmas spices and crème de cassis. This dense garnet/purple wine also has loads of blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, terrific aromatics, a full-bodied mouthfeel, beautiful purity, texture, and a long, long finish. Once again, the Comte von Neipperg and his winemaking consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt have hit a home run in this vintage. This beauty is approachable, if not drinkable already, and should continue to evolve for 10-15 years.

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

Blackish crimson. Toasty and appetising on the nose. Very rich and broad on the palate with some sweetness and dried-fruit character. Quite dramatic and assertive. 14% Drink 2018-2035(16.5+)

La Revue du Vin de France

17 / 20

the10/20/2014

Volutes lardées et fumées, bouche en chair (40% cabernet franc), déjà d'un beau volume, sans dureté. Les tanins sont denses, d'une finesse rare. Il se goûte déjà très bien avec un potentiel d'au moins dix ans.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/29/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. Just a touch of brett on the red-berried nose; a little shoe-polish and iodine intertwined with the dark plumy fruit. It sports a sweet, viscous entry, low acidity, dark plum, chocolate and a touch of savoury fruit towards the finish. This is becoming a hedonistic wine with an animally, almost Northern Rhône-like finish. Moderate length. Drink 2012-2020+ Tasted January 2009. 90+

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Medium red. Reticent aromas of red fruits, coffee, roasted meat and mocha; a bit low-toned today. Superripe, sweet and densely packed; large-scaled for a wine from this property but quite closed today, hinting at an almost roasted ripeness. Atypically deep cabernet franc here. Finishes with broad tannins and lovely floral lift, leaving behind a captivating violet perfume in the empty glass. Very unevolved wine, in need of a decade of patience and likely to merit a higher score at its peak. 92(+?)

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

For opulence, decadence, and sexiness, this 2005 is hard to resist. One of the vintage’s most flamboyant efforts, it is a gorgeous blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. With a stunningly exotic nose of espresso roast, a juicy meat and herb concoction, spice box, chocolate, incense, and copious quantities of sweet, ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit, this full-throttle St.-Emilion exhibits good structure (because of the vintage’s sound acid levels) and high, but velvety tannin. It is a brilliant effort from proprietor Stephan von Neipperg. I would not discount its aging potential as the 1990, which I thought would have a short aging curve, is still going strong at age 18. The 2005 should easily last 20-25 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030.

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

Jancis Robinson

16.50 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe11/21/2007

Very ripe fruit. Firm, even slightly tough at the moment but I think it will come round to be a lovely rich wine. 16.5+

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/3/2007

This is one of the strongest efforts from Canon-La-Gaffeliere since their spectacular 1990. Tiny yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare and a final blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon have resulted in a wine of exceptional complexity. Aromas of roasted herbs, spice box, sweet and sour cherries, licorice, incense, and black fruits are followed by a wine with tremendous opulence, full body, and moderately high but sweet tannin. Excellent acidity gives precision to this big, but impeccably well-balanced, pure 2005. A brilliant effort, it should be drinkable within 3-4 years of bottling, and will keep for two decades.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/27/2006

The qualitative equal of this estate’s top-notch 2000, 1998, and 1990, the 2005 Canon-La-Gaffeliere is a stunning effort from proprietor Stephan von Neipperg. A blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses complex, fragrant aromas of spice box, black currants, sweet cherries, and licorice. Dense, opulent, full-bodied, pure, and layered, it is an impressively endowed St.-Emilion that should evolve slowly, and last for 15 or more years.

Wine Spectator

95-100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/30/2006

This is very concentrated on the nose, with blackberry and violets. Full-bodied, with masses of tannins and bright fruit. It goes on and on and on. Exceptional. —J.S.