Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion 2018

Vinous

99

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 La Gaffelière is hands down one of the wines of the vintage. Towering in its stature and vertical lift, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and leather all run through this deep, wonderfully pliant Saint-Émilion. The 2018 is rich, deep and beautifully resonant, with tremendous depth and tons of stature that builds, all framed by beams of supporting minerality that confer vibrancy. La Gaffelière is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc. Magnifique!

Wine Advocate

97

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Gaffeliere is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to offer peeks at notions of stewed red and black plums, mulberries and Morello cherries, plus hints of damp earth, tar and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound, delivering crunchy red and black fruits with an approachable texture of fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long with a lifted perfume. This is a refreshing, beautifully perfumed and skillfully crafted expression of the vintage. Give it 4-5 years in bottle and then enjoy it over the next 20 years+.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

Based on 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Château La Gaffelière is another pretty, elegant Saint-Emilion with a classic, mineral-laced style as well as a terrific mix of finesse and richness. Black raspberries, cassis, graphite, white flowers, and chalky minerality give way to a medium to full-bodied, seamless 2018 that offers plenty of concentration, a lively, focused texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's going to evolve for two decades or more.

Vinous

95

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 La Gaffelière remains quite backward on the nose; the aromatics are biding their time but will be very attractive, offering pure black cherry, bilberry and light marine aromas that are very well defined. The palate is underpinned by fine, almost filigreed tannins and a superb bead of acidity. This La Gaffelière is harmonious on the finish with seamlessly integrated oak. It should mature beautifully over the next 20–30 years and evolve into one of the standout Saint-Émilions of this vintage.

Wine Spectator

94

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

Expressive and pure, with a long and refined set of cassis, bitter cherry and damson plum flavors entwined with bright savory and taut chalky mineral notes. The fruit darkens a bit through the finish and this adds some flesh and drive as it airs in the glass. Very solid. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036. 6,250 cases made. –JM

Yvesbeck.wine

96

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Bouquet complexe, subtil, aux notes florales avec des nuances de violettes suivies de parfums chocolatés. Attaque friande et légèrement crémeuse. Belle énergie, avec une puissance maîtrisée et des tannins serrés aux grains fins. Structure acide juteuse soutenant idéalement l'expression aromatique jusqu'en finale. Une belle réussite et un style qui convient parfaitement à La Gaffelière ! Finale fruitée bien appuyée. Très belle persistance.

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe1/19/2021

Aromas of black cherries, flowers and cedar with sandalwood and stone. It’s full-bodied and very intense with wonderfully polished tannins that caress your palate and take you away. Give this time to come together. Try after 2025.

Decanter.com

96

byJane Ansonthe1/12/2021

Wine Enthusiast

97

byRoger Vossthe1/5/2021

This estate is on a roll. Replete with powerful tannins and dense black fruits, this latest release continues the succession of fine vintages. Perfumed, ripe with berry flavors and, more importantly, with rich tannins, the wine will age impressively. Drink from 2027.

Vinous

94-96

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 La Gaffelière is a little closed on the nose at present, demands coaxing before revealing scents of blackberry, bilberry and white pepper aromas. There is something...enigmatic about the bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. The oak is beautifully integrated and there is real tension and mineralité on the finish. I must confess that I was not expecting this to be as good as it shows. It is an outstanding La Gaffelière that will age with panache. In over 20 years of tasting this property, this is easily the finest that I have encountered.

WeinWisser

17

byTjark Witzgallthe5/7/2019

Bettane & Desseauve

96-97

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2019

Très belle réussite grâce aux cabernets francs qui équilibrent la trame du début à la fin de bouche. Le grain calcaire étire le vin de façon magistrale.

Vinous

94-97

byAntonio Gallonithe5/3/2019

The 2018 La Gaffelière is once again one of the finest and most pedigreed wines in Saint-Émilion and all of Bordeaux for that matter. The high percentage of Cabernet Franc (37%) gives the wine striking aromatic nuance and complexity, as well as fabulous drive. Rose petal, sage, mint and blood orange all soar out of the glass in a stunning Saint-Émilion loaded with class and personality. Consulting winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt has turned out another gem at this revitalized property. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc.

Yvesbeck.wine

95-96

byYves Beckthe5/1/2019

58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc
Rouge grenat violacé. Bouquet fruité et frais avec des notes de baies rouges et une agréable touche de bois de réglisse. Je relève également une touche florale avec des notes de violettes. Au palais, le vin reflète bien la fraîcheur constatée au nez. Il est juteux, compact, équilibré et a du pep. Les tannins sont dotés d’un grain fin et ont la matière nécessaire pour s’accommoder de la vivacité de la structure. Belle intensité aromatique, dès la mise en bouche et jusqu’en finale. Finale fruitée et persistante. Un Gaffelière de caractère qui a de quoi aller dans le temps et sur lequel il faudra savoir patienter. 2025-2050

Vinifera

95

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Le nez est remarquable, sur des notes de fruits noirs et d'épices avec une touche minérale. Très belle entrée en bouche, dense, charnue. Il se déroule sans heurts, crescendo, ourlé par une fine trame, avec en filigrane une fraîcheur étonnante. Grand vin. 

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Lush, polished and pure, the wine has a roundness to the fruit, flesh, concentration, silky tannins and a floral, licorice, espresso, cocoa and red pit fruit, plummy finish.

Wine Advocate

94-96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 La Gaffeliere reveals classically sophisticated scents of ripe black plums, warm blackberries and cigar box with touches of star anise, dried Provence herbs, chocolate mint and truffles. Full-bodied, it has a solid backbone of ripe, rounded tannins and lovely freshness lifting the densely layered fruit to a long finish.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

The blue-fruit and sea-salt character is fascinating in this. Full-bodied yet tight and very focused. It really lasts for minutes on the palate. Forceful but full of finesse as well.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

95

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Wine Spectator

94-97

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

Features a beautiful beam of cassis, bitter cherry and raspberry fruit streaming through, laced with chalky minerality and backed by floral and spice accents, all allied to a polished, luxurious feel that doesn't sacrifice definition or drive.

Decanter.com

96

byJane Ansonthe4/1/2019

You can feel the excitement building around this estate following extensive replanting and refocussing. The frost of 2017 changed the blend a little, and they decided to stick with it as they liked the results so much - meaning they are using less of the vineyard for the grand vin. Whatever they are doing, it works. This has rich creaminess through the mid-palate that balances the austerity and salinity of the limestone terroir, and the brambled autumnal fruit is ripe and very much to the fore. It's a delicious, complex yet pared-back wine with layers of tannin that cradle rather than crush. A brilliant Gaffeliere. I tasted the individual components at the estate a few weeks ago, and it's great to see how they've assembled the final blend. Harvested between 10 September and 9 October. 60% new oak. 3.57pH. IPT 76.
Drinking Window 2027 - 2040

Wine Enthusiast

95-97

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2019

Barrel Sample. Fine tannins with a bold structure bond with the succulent fruit. A high proportion of Cabernet Franc perfumes and delicious blackberry fruits sustain its richness. It will age well.