Chateau La Gaffeliere - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012

Vinous

92 / 100

the1/31/2016

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

Very elegant kirsch liqueur-like notes mixed with licorice, spice and earth jump from the glass of this famous St.-Emilion, long-owned by the Malet Roquefort family. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc (14% alcohol), this has slightly more acidity and structure than some St.-Emilions. The limestone-dominated terroir comes through in the wine’s striking and very powerful minerality. It is medium-bodied, elegant, tightly knit and probably in need of 2-4 years of bottle age. It should drink well for the following 15 years. (91+)

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

Crazy nose of red licorice, dark fruits and walnuts. Full body, chewy tannins and a juicy finish. This is rich and structured. Try in 2017.

Wine Spectator

89 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

Polished and restrained, with alluring notes of cherry preserves and plum sauce that glide elegantly through the mineral- and black tea-infused finish. Offers a light cloak of toast on the finish, but the purity should help this stretch out in the cellar. This has filled out a bit since the barrel tasting. Best from 2017 through 2022. 4,583 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

the12/11/2014

Dark ruby. A bit of compost on the nose. Interesting! Broad and quite rich. Finishes a bit suddenly rather than sumptuously. But there is lots going on here

and it is not formulaic winemaking. Interesting but unformed for the moment.Drink 2018-2028. 16+ points

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88-91 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013

Dark ruby.  Plum, cassis and coffee on the nose.  Smooth and suave on entry, then turns austere and tougher in the middle.  This concentrated but brooding wine needs time in barrel for its strawberry and floral flavors to expand.  The finish is youthfully chewy and long.

timatkin.com

94 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

Fully justifying its status among the appellation’s elite châteaux, this clay and limestonebased property has produced a very impressive, age-worthy Saint Emilion. Deeply coloured, textured and silky with grassy top notes from the Cabernet Franc, ripe tannins and a fresh, leafy finish. Drink: 2020-35

Le Point

16,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Fruits noirs, bouche tendre, élégant, frais, bonnes saveurs, milieu de bouche assez plein, élégant, gourmand et fin, bonne longueur, bien construit. O= 2016 G= 12 ans

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/6/2013

The Gaffeliere has a ripe candied nose that is missing a little cohesion at the moment. It is quite exotic for a 2012, very floral with orange blossom developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly tough tannins on the entry and the oak is a little jarring against the fruit. There is a decent wine here, but it needs to become more focused during the barrel ageing to merit a higher score. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

85-88 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Slightly snappy, with savory, cherry pit and pomegranate notes leading to a relatively quick, angular feel on the finish. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17.5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/29/2013

Pour la seconde année, les jeunes plants de cabernet franc sont intégrés dans l'assemblage et donnent déjà un peu plus de relief et d'éclat de saveur que de coutume à ce vin. Fruité dès le nez et très distingué, il offre une bouche au toucher raffiné et particulièrement aromatique. Finement séveux, hédoniste, le vin s'achève sur une bonne corpulence, plutôt long avec des tanins fins. Une réussite.

Jancis Robinson

15,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/26/2013

Drink 2016-2022
Deep dark cherry colour. Refined and delicate in aroma. Lightish on the palate and perhaps just a touch dilute in the middle. Tannins a little dry at the end. (JH)

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

Lots of sweet Christmas fruitcake notes intermixed with black cherry, black currant, licorice and incense jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored wine. Medium to full-bodied with surprisingly soft, round tannins and a beautiful mid-palate, the 2012 does not deviate much from the estate’s elegant, racy style. This beauty can be drunk early or aged for 15 or more years.

This is an impressive offering from proprietor Count Leo Malet De Roquefort (whose family dates back to the 1400s). The 2012 La Gaffeliere achieved 14% natural alcohol, which, while relatively high for a 2012, is not up to the remarkable levels achieved in 2010 or 2009. The harvest occurred between October 4 and 16, and the final blend was 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
Drink: 2013 - 2028

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-91 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Blending 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.8% alcohol. On the palate, the mineral driven, oaky, blackberry filled wine is well made, but it lacks excitement. 89-91 Pts

My Bettane + Desseauve

17-17,5 / 20

the4/26/2013

Les meilleurs échantillons sont superbes avec une intensité et un velouté de texture étonnants.

Decanter.com

17 / 20

the4/22/2013

Reserved on the nose. Round but fine on the palate. Long, firm finish. Harmonious. 17/20pts ( 90/100pts)
Drink: 2020 - 2032
Taster: James Lawther MW

Jamessuckling.com

88-89 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

A wine with pretty cherry and plum character with hints of flowers. Medium body, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Very fine tannins.