Château La Gaffelière 1996

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château La Gaffelière 1996

Tasting

Colour
Now fully mature, this red wine displays a garnet colour, enhanced by delicate brick-red highlights at the rim.

Nose
The bouquet is particularly complex and tertiary. It exudes aromas of undergrowth, truffle, fine leather and Virginia tobacco, harmoniously intertwined with notes of stewed fruit such as fig and prune. Subtle touches of faded violet and graphite complete the whole.

Palate
The attack is soft and velvety, opening onto a mid-palate where the tannins, now perfectly integrated, provide fine structure. The finish is long and lingering, carried by a pleasant mineral tension and refreshing acidity.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs beautifully with roasted or grilled red meats, such as fillet of beef or a rack of lamb served with mushrooms. It also elevates fine poultry such as pigeon or duck, as well as refined vegetarian dishes like a mushroom risotto. For cheese, opt for hard cooked-curd varieties such as Comté or Beaufort.

Serving and cellaring

Château La Gaffelière 1996 has now reached full maturity. It offers an optimal tasting experience for lovers of mature wines, revealing the full complexity of its tertiary aromas.

The complexity and elegance of a great Saint-Emilion wine

The estate

Located in the renowned Bordeaux region of France, Château La Gaffelière has winegrowing origins dating back to Gallo-Roman times. However, the modern estate was founded in 1705, the year the de Malet Roquefort family settled here; the family still oversees the property today under the leadership of Alexandre de Malet. This 38-hectare vineyard stands out for its fascinating history, marked by the presence of a former medieval leper hospital. Proud of its independence, the estate chose to withdraw from the classification in 2022 in order to freely showcase its unique identity.

The vineyard

Ideally situated south of the town of Saint-Emilion, between the prestigious slopes of Ausone and Pavie, the vineyard enjoys a south and south-east exposure that ensures optimal sunshine. The vines thrive on a mosaic of terroirs comprising a limestone plateau, clay-limestone slopes and siliceous soils at the foot of the hillsides. The estate is farmed according to the principles of sustainable viticulture, certified High Environmental Value, including cover cropping, leaf thinning, green harvesting and exclusively manual harvests in small crates.

The vintage

1996 is recognised as a classic vintage in the region. While weather conditions were generally favourable for ripening the grapes, the Right Bank experienced a degree of variability. Nevertheless, thanks to its perfectly drained terroirs and excellent exposure, the estate benefited from an environment conducive to bringing the berries to ideal ripeness, resulting in a wine built for long ageing.

Winemaking and ageing

The making of Château La Gaffelière 1996 reflects the traditional expertise of the great growths of its era. Vinification was carried out with gentle, carefully controlled extraction in order to preserve the freshness of the fruit and achieve exceptionally fine tannins. The wine was then carefully aged in oak barrels, designed to refine its structure and add complexity to its aromatic palette without ever masking the authentic expression of its terroir.

Grape varieties

70% Merlot
30% Cabernet Franc