Château La Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012

La fin de l’hiver 2012 fut sèche et froide (février) accusant un déficit hydrique important. Puis le printemps resta frais mais arrosé (avril) perturbant le débourrement et entrainant des décalages de pousse observable sur un même pied.
Enfin les températures se radoucirent mais l’épisode pluvieux de début juin dérangea la floraison en accentuant les phénomènes de coulures. En Juillet des périodes très chaudes alternèrent avec de fortes baisses des températures, cette irrégularité ne favorisant pas la véraison.
La fin de l’été se révéla plus régulière, chaud et sec en août, septembre doux où les pluies de fin de mois ont accentué la maturité ; le vignoble est en parfait état sanitaire au moment des vendanges.

Vinous

92 / 100

le 31/01/2016

The 2012 La Gaffeliere comes across as quite compact today, although the underlying material appears promising. The 20% Cabernet Franc is evident, especially in the wines tannic profile. Hints of iron, smoke and leather open up with time in the glass, but the 2012 is going to need at least a few more years in bottle. Still, there is plenty to look forward to. Beginning with the 2011 vintage, all the younger Cabernet Franc plantings are online, and the Franc in the grand vin is expected to climb to the 30-40% range. The 2012 is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Stéphane Derenoncourt and Simon Blanchard are the consulting winemakers.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2015

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

par James Suckling le 15/02/2015

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

par James Molesworth le 10/02/2015

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

le 11/12/2014

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

par Ian D'Agata le 30/06/2013

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

par Tim Atkin MW le 30/06/2013

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

par Jacques Dupont le 16/05/2013

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