Château Canon la Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2003

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

par Robert Parker le 29/08/2014

Lots of Asian soy, licorice and Christmas fruitcake notes intermingled with notions of red and black fruits and spice box emerge from this dark plum/garnet-colored (with just a bit of pink at the edge), medium to full-bodied, opulent, round, juicy, hedonistic 2003. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

par Robert Parker le 24/04/2006

One of St.-Emilion’s most consistently high quality estates, particularly since the late 1980s, this 50-acre estate is situated on clay and limestone soils in the appellation’s southern sector. The vineyard consists of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Performing slightly better from bottle than it did from cask, the 2003 is a soft, relatively evolved style of wine. Up-front and forward, with a complex, perfumed (smoke, incense, fruitcake) style, it offers creme de cassis, cherry, plum, fig, incense, and cedar characteristics on the palate. The round, opulent attack quickly fades in the finish. Nevertheless, it possesses plenty of appeal, and is the most accessible Canon-La-Gaffeliere I have tasted. Drink it over the next decade.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/03/2006

Lots of blackberry, vanilla and cherry on the nose. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Well-structured. Solid wine here. Best after 2010. 3,755 cases made.

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

par Robert Parker le 29/04/2005

While this vineyard’s position on the lower, more alluvial, sandier slopes of St.-Emilion was not ideal given the year’s weather conditions, the 2003 turned out reasonably well, but not at the level of the top vintages. This lighter-style, seductive, charming effort is essentially superficial and lacks depth. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by sweet plum, fig, and berry fruit characteristics interwoven with hints of herbs and forest floor. Drink this medium-bodied, round, pretty 2003 over the next 8-10 years.

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

par Robert Parker le 29/04/2004

An elegant, lighter-styled 2003, Canon-la-Gaffeliere contains a high percentage of Cabernet Franc (55%) in the final blend. The aromatics merit at least 90 points, but the wine lacks the depth, concentration, and length necessary for a higher score. Tasted on four different occasions, with consistent notes, this vineyard (situated on St.-Emilion’s lower slopes) was not able to obtain the richness found in such recent vintages as 2001, 2000, 1999, and 1998. The soft, fruity 2003 possesses complex aromas of cedar wood, spice box, earth, herbs, and sweet cherry as well as currant fruit. Medium-bodied and round, with no hard edges, low acidity, and jammy fruit, it should be consumed over the next 7-10 years.