Château Canon la Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2004

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe8/1/2014

Tasted at Bordeaux Index annual 10-year on tasting from an ex-château bottle. The Canon-la-Gaffeliere is a little smudged on the nose, though there is decent fruit concentration here: blackberry, boysenberry and some yellow plum scents emerging with aeration. It just needs to muster more delineation and focus. The palate is better with fine structure on the entry and nicely judged acidity (better than other Saint Emilion crus) that lends it sufficient tension and vigour. There is a welcome sour cherry note lining the finish that is focused and long. This is ageing well and should continue to drink over the next decade. Tasted March 2014.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/3/2009

The nose on this Canon-la-Gafflière is certainly very ripe, though not as over-extracted as it tasted in its youth. Black cherries, raspberry and cassis, perhaps just lacking a little definition. The palate is full-bodied and very ripe with macerated black cherries and cassis with a hint of cigar box towards the finish. Compared to its precocious youth it seems better balanced, although it still just lacks some personality. Drink 2010-2016. Tasted November 2008.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe7/2/2007

A brilliant achievement for proprietor Stefan von Neipperg, this blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits an exuberant, cedary bouquet revealing scents of espresso roast, chocolate, pain grille, and sweet red and black fruits. Opulent and fleshy for a 2004, this sexy beauty offers plenty of purity, symmetry, and sweet tannin. It will provide enjoyment over the next 10-15 years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2007

Good deep ruby-red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, coffee, chocolate, minerals and spices. Suave and fine-grained, with lovely lift and inner-mouth perfume to the flavors of dark fruits, minerals and flowers. Here, too, the wine's 45% cabernet franc component is apparent. An essentially sweet, gentle wine that finishes with lush, fine-grained tannins and excellent length.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2007

Shows subtle yet focused aromas of forest fruits and flowers. Full-bodied, with fine tannins, lovely length and a focused berry, cherry and blackberry finish. I like the pure fruit and finesse. Best after 2011. 4,580 cases made.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2006

Superior to the 2003, the 2004 exhibits notes of pain grille, blackberries, cassis, dried herbs, and cedar. Fleshy, medium to full-bodied, textured, and opulently-styled with good structure, purity, and surprising ripeness and plumpness, it will provide pleasure during its first 12-15 years of life.

Wine Advocate

90-1 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2005

A seductive, easy-going effort from proprietor Stephan von Neipperg, this deep ruby/purple-tinged 2004 offers soft notes of sweet cherry and currant fruit intermixed with dried herbs, espresso roast, and loamy soil. Sweet tannin, medium body, and a seductive, up-front style result in a hedonistic, alluring St.-Emilion to enjoy during its first dozen years of life.

TAST

16 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/28/2005

Couleur intense, corps puissant, texture serrée encore un peu abrupte en comparaison directe avec d'autres : pour le moment la finesse et la complexité des arômes semblent supérieure ou en tout cas plus avancée dans leur définition que le tannin.

Carnets de dégustation RVF

8.50 / 10

the4/22/2005

"52% merlot, 45% cabernet franc, 3% cabernet-sauvignon. Robe assez sombre à reflets violets, nez frais, légèrement végétal, très porté sur les fruits rouges , bouche faîche en attaque, toujours sur les fruits rouges, élégante, longue, finale superbe : la classe du terroir s'impose."

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/30/2005

Wonderful nose of blackberries, spices and cherries with hints of earth. Full-bodied, ultrarich and deep. Long finish. There are layers of everything here. This is really fine, sweet and long. A lovely, seductive wine. 52 percent Merlot, 45 percent Cabernet Franc and 3 percent Cabernet Sauvignon