Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012

Vinous

94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe12/31/2015

The 2012 Canon La Gaffelière possesses striking aromatic presence, beautifully layered fruit and exceptional balance. This is arguably the most refined, precise wine in Stephan von Neipperg's stable, which is not surprising given the blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Rose petal, mint and generous red stone fruits meld into the creamy yet understated finish. This is a striking 2012 that speaks to finesse.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

Proprietor Comtes von Neipperg has done an incredible job with this estate, turning things around from a vegetal, diluted and undernourished wine in the 1970s and 1980s to something that has gotten stronger and strong ever since 1988. The dense ruby/purple 2012 offers pure blackcurrant and black cherry fruit along with some notes of Christmas spices and earth. It is full-bodied and opulent, with light tannins in the finish. This is a beauty of impeccable balance, great purity and texture. Kudos to von Neipperg, who rarely ever seems to make a mistake. Anticipated maturity: now-2030. The final blend tips the scales at 13.5% from an equal-part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

Beautiful nose of strawberries, cherries and cedar notes. Shaved chocolate, too. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a juicy and fruity finish. Persistent on the palate. Drink from 2017.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

This has a lovely core of pure, fresh, well-defined boysenberry, blackberry and plum fruit, which glides beautifully over polished alder and vanilla notes while hints of violet and anise fill in on the finish. A lovely whiff of tobacco chimes in at the very end. This should be fun to cellar. A big wine that goes with the flow of the vintage and doesn't try to overdo it. Best from 2018 through 2027. 4,167 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

the12/11/2014

Blackish purple. Pale rim. Well-melded nose. Very juicy. Not the most intense but very friendly. Just a bit inky on the end.Drink 2017-2025

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

the10/23/2014

Blackish purple. Pale rim. Well-melded nose. Very juicy. Not the most intense but very friendly. Just a bit inky on the end. 2017-2025

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-89 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013

Good bright, full red.  Reticent aromas of red cherry, cocoa powder, fresh herbs and licorice.  Then rich and dense in the mouth, with black fruit and tar elements lingering nicely on the thick, somewhat chunky finish.  But the tannins come off as a bit green and dry, as there's not quite enough middle-palate supporting material here.  Perhaps the elevage will help this wine flesh out.

Le Point

16,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Joli nez complexe, fruits rouges, cerise, finement épicé, bouche onctueuse, séveuse, long et fin, plus en longueur qu'en largeur, belle finale prolongée. O= 2017 G= 12 ans

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/6/2013

The Canon-la-Gaffeliere is an equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc picked between 3rd and 11th October and aged in 80% new oak. It has a perfumed floral bouquet with creamy new oak, succulent dark cherry fruit and crème de cassis emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and then it just dips a little on the mid palate. It remains balanced with fine acidity and a subtle saline touch on the finish. Fine – this might improve further in barrel. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Bright and pure, with mingling notes of plum pit, black cherry preserves and steeped currant fruit, all lined with red licorice and well-integrated spice. Shows ample grip, but the tannins are well-buried. Not big, this relies more on accessibility and balance overall. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

18 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Great minerality, oak and fruit balance with electrifying tannins and an ultra-fine finish. Impressive.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/29/2013

Monsieur de Niepperg a fait un gros effort de production pour obtenir ce beau résultat. Le rendement à la vigne était de 36 hectolitres à l'hectare. Après sélection, ce vin représente une production de 28 hectolitres. L'assemblage 50 % merlot et 50 % cabernet franc lui donne beaucoup d'allure dès le nez où il apparaît fin et floral. La bouche est séveuse, aromatique avec du corps et un profil élancé, riche en saveurs. Belle finale longue au tanin fin et savoureux. Un succès.

My Bettane + Desseauve

17 / 20

the4/26/2013

Élégante structure, tannin fin, dans la suavité, ne joue pas la surpuissance, mais a parfaitement compris que la clé du millésime est l’élégance.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/26/2013

Drink 2018-2028
50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc – more than usual. Deeply coloured with purple rim. Strong Cabernet Franc character comes through: really zesty fruit with graphite layers. Attractive combination of fruit and dark savour, with the oak showing firmly on the finish at the moment (80% new). But it is fresh too, the tannins fully ripe and compact but not heavy. (JH)

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

Exotic notes of Christmas fruitcake, cedar wood, cassis, espresso roast and chocolate soar from the glass of this sensual, impressively well-endowed 2012. Full-bodied with silky tannin and well-integrated wood, this beauty is a tribute to the impeccable viticulture and fermentation techniques of Neipperg and his head consultant, Stephane Derenoncourt. This wine will be drinkable upon release and should evolve for 15 years.

From brilliant proprietor Stephan von Neipperg, this nearly 50-acre vineyard on the foothills of the limestone plateau of St.-Emilion enjoyed low yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend consisted of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The natural alcohol is 13.5%, about average on the Right Bank in this vintage.
Drink: 2013 - 2028

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Harvested over a four-week period from October 10 through November 10, the wine is produced from a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc that is 50/50. On the nose, the wine opens with flowers, licorice, coffee, spice and blackberries. On the palate, the medium-bodied, silky wine is soft with fresh black raspberries and a cherry-filled finish. 91-93 Pts

Decanter.com

17,25 / 20

the4/22/2013

An equal share of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Fragrant and floral. Attractive mid-palate fruit then long, firm finish. Well judged. 17.25/20pts ( 90+/100pts)
Drink: 2020 - 2030
Taster: James Lawther MW

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

This is very intense with beautiful dried flowers and dark fruits and and lovely finish. Lovely depth too. Goes on for minutes. Medium-to-full body.

My Bettane + Desseauve

17 / 20

the4/2/2013

Élégante structure, tannin fin, dans la suavité, ne joue pas la surpuissance, mais a parfaitement compris que la clé du millésime est l’élégance.