Château la Gaffelière Castle - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/10/2017

Bettane & Desseauve

95 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Entrée en bouche douce et suave se développant sur un corps charmeur. Belle finale toujours caressante et pleine de vie aromatique, dans des nuances florales et épicées. La complexité est apportée par les 35 % de cabernet franc et les 10 % de cabernet sauvignon.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Canon la Gaffeliere is a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (vines organically certified) picked from 26 September to 15 October and matured in 60% new oak. The yield is 42 hectoliters per hectare. This offers one of the most cerebral aromatics that I have encountered from this Saint Emilion estate: mineral-rich red and black fruit, quite edgy, almost flinty in style. I adore the focus of these aromas that are wired directly into the olfactory senses. The palate is very well balanced and governed by the Cabernet component. The black fruit is lifted by some lovely graphite notes that lend it a very Left Bank-like personality. It is fresh, taut and linear with a very persistent finish. Unlike other vintages of Canon la Gaffelière, I feel that this will require four to five years in bottle. As good as the 2015 last year, it might even surpass it.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/28/2017

Couleur sombre, intense. Nez fruité, frais, aromatique, mais sans complexité de fond. Moelleux à l’attaque, suave au milieu et plutôt tendu, le vin évolue sur un goût fruité en seconde partie de bouche tout en maintenant un joli toucher. En finale, sa signature aromatique reste agréable, mais sans la complexité que son nouveau rang laisse espérer.

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Canon La Gaffelière is a huge, voluptuous wine with no hard edges and exceptional balance. Often in the early going, the Merlot and Cabernet Franc elements are easily discernible, but in 2016 all the elements are wonderfully fused together. It will be interesting to see if this powerful wine finds a bit more finesse over time. The 2016 was even more impressive when I tasted separate components from barrel in January 2017. In 2016, the wine spent 30-32 days on the skins and will see approximately 60% new oak. Tasted three times.

matthewjukes.com

18,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(55 Merlot, 35 Cabernet Franc, 10 Cabernet Sauvignon) | 60% new oak | 13.5% alc. | 42 hl/ha. A beautiful wine - the nose is heavenly and delicate and yet incredibly persistent and the palate is also medium-weight, smooth and cultured. Very long and very closed this precision organic viticulture perfectly aligned with ‘gentle extrac- tion’ winemaking and the results are sensational. 18.5+

Decanter.com

93 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/24/2017

Another successful wine in St-Émilion, with the signature of careful extraction. Well-brushed black fruits and a lovely push-and-pull effect between supple tannins, rich fruits and fresh acidity. Certified organic since the 2014 vintage. Drinking Window 2027 - 2045

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

Dark crimson. Very rich sweet nose slightly reminiscent of the 'modernist' style. Rather thick and heavy. Suffers from being tasted immediately after the superior and sophisticated Ch Canon. Rather drying end. Good effort. Sincere but a tad vieux jeu. Hint of meatiness, then slightly drying tannins but good energy.

Wine Enthusiast

95-97 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. Dark and intense, this wine has immense fruit and equally immense tannins. It is powered by its firm structure and concentration. There are hints of firm extraction, although it does not detract from the bold fruits. It should age well for many years.

Wine Spectator

95-98 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

This pulls a lot of red and black currant, fig and boysenberry pâte de fruit notes together, wraps them with a brambly thread and then drives them through an anise- and apple wood-edged finish. It’s all tightly wound, but it’s all there for the long haul. Really, really solid.—J.M.