Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion 2014

Vinous

89

byNeal Martinthe4/2/2024

The 2014 La Gaffelière has a nicely composed, if undemanding, bouquet: a mixture of red and black fruit, forest floor and pencil box. There's evidence of some fine Cabernet Franc in the blend. The palate is medium-bodied with plush tannins, grainy textures and a fine backbone with tarry black fruit towards the rather austere finish. It's not bad, though. Like others, it lacks a bit of brightness and verve. This appears to reaffirm my rather tepid reception at the previous blind tasting six years ago. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe7/26/2017

I love the precision and verve to this with berry, sliced mushroom and flower characters. Full body, yet so tight and refined. Beautiful length and focus. Drink or hold.

Vinous

96

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

A wine of total finesse, the 2014 La Gaffelière is gorgeous. Dark and pliant on the palate, with striking nuance, it presents a striking interplay of juicy Merlot fruit and lifted, Cabernet Franc-inflected aromatics. Silky tannins add to the wine's exceptional feel and precision. The blend is 80 % Merlot and 20 % Cabernet Franc. The 2014 spent 25-30 days on the skins, while malolactic fermentation took place partly in tank and partly in barrique. Consulting oenologists Stéphane Derenoncourt and Simon Blanchard did a fabulous job with the 2014. In a word: superb!

Wine Spectator

93

byJames Molesworththe1/11/2017

A lovely blackberry puree note leads this off, followed by hints of fig and plum. Alluring licorice and juniper flavors start to fill in, backed by an accent of smoldering tobacco. The structure is persistent but very fine-grained. Best from 2020 through 2030.— J.M

Le Point

17

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Fruits noirs, bouche cassis, mûre, bon végétal, élégant, frais, fin, savoureux, le style est imposé par le cabernet franc tandis que le merlot remplit le milieu de bouche. Très joli fruit. 

Vinous

92-95

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

A dark, voluptuous beauty, the 2014 La Gaffelière is incredibly harmonious for such a young wine. Red currant, pomegranate, spice, wild flowers and hard candy jump from the glass in an exuberant, racy St.-Emilion endowed with tons of finesse and nuance. All the elements fall into place in an effortless, gracious wine that should drink well for many years. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The 2014 spent 25-30 days on the skins, while malolactic fermentation took place partly in tank and partly in barrique. Stéphane Derenoncourt and Simon Blanchard are the consulting oenologists. Tasted two times.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

Licorice, earth and dark, fresh plums, this wine is silky, limber and sweet with freshness and finesse in the finish. 91-93 pts

Wine Advocate

87-89

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château la Gaffelière 2014 is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The nose feels a little overripe and smudged, not really the traditional La Gaffelière style. The palate is better with grainy tannin, good depth of fruit and a rather conservative but nicely focused finish. Apparently there will be around 40% new oak on the final blend, which would make it a more balanced wine. Let's see.

Asian Palate

89

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

A lovely wine with balance and ripe plummy fruit. Lively and fresh with dark fruit flavors and hint of sweet spices in the finish. Tannins are supple, velvety and substantial. Enjoy in 6 to 7 years.

Decanter.com

17,5

byJames Lawther MWthe4/17/2015

Derenoncourt consults. Elegant texture and tannins. Stays on the fruit - raspberry, cherry notes. Lively and fresh. Minerality shows. Good, persistent finish. Firm, tannic line at the end. Has staying power. Drink: 2020-2035 (91)

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe4/13/2015

Blackish crimson. Sweet and spicy with a hint of violets on the nose. On the palate it is so charming that it’s difficult to find the tannins until the very end but this is a really glamorous not-overdone wine. Masses of pleasure and persistence.  Drink 2023-2035

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

This is really complex and minerally with so much going on. Full, tight and precise. One of the best ever from here. All the hard work in reorganizing the vineyard is paying off.

timatkin.com

94

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

17

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

Dunkles Granat, recht satt in der Mitte, rubiner Rand. Kompaktes Bouquet, gekochte, rote Kirschen, würziger Tabaktouch darin zeigend. Im Gaumen fest, fleischig, aber auch mit genügend Muskeln welche ihm seine typische etwas maskuline Art verleihen. Ein Esswein der Geduld braucht. 17/20 2026 – 2044

Wine Enthusiast

95

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

94–96. Barrel Sample. This is a fine and aromatic wine that has great structure while also considerable elegance and superb balance. Dense tannins are coupled with freshness and bright black-currant fruit, keeping the palate lively. The finish is bright and fruity.   — R.V. (4/2/2015)

Wine Spectator

90-93

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2015

Features a solid core of dark, ripe plum, fig and blackberry fruit, complemented by lovely minerality through the finish. Delivers some deft toast, letting the fruit andminerality take the lead. Things are on the upswing here.