Château La Gaffelière 2018

Very restrained in its aromatic expression; similarly closed on the palate, yet with impressive depth and density, fullness and length; excellent, but definitely let it mature.

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+.

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.

The combination of Cabernet Franc and limestone gives this wine a beautifully floral-laced nose and a sense of energy and lift as it travels across the palate. Extremely light-footed for a wine at 14.5% ABV, barely discernible, with black fruits followed by juiciness every step of the way. Good stuff.

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.

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 notes that are very well defined. The palate is underpinned by fine, almost filigreed tannins and a superb thread 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.

Lush, polished and pure, the wine has a roundness to the fruit, flesh, silky tannins and a floral, licorice, espresso, cocoa and red pit fruit, plummy finish. 93-95 pts

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, discreet bright rim. Ripe plum fruit, black cherries, fresh orange zest, a hint of fine oak, floral touch. Juicy, ripe cherries, seems a bit more loosely knit than usual, freshly structured, red berry on the finish, offers easy drinking pleasure.

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.

Kunz barrel sample 19: silky, austere bouquet, blue berries, noble woods, tobacco. Classic, dense palate with fine, sandy tannins, good fruit, muscular structure, medium aromatics, long, delicately austere finish. Has room to improve.

Herbs, spicy bouquet, strawberries, cherries, pepper, licorice, little tobacco tablets. Dense, classic palate with good dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a muscular structure, powerful aromatics, and a bitter finish. 17/20 2025 - 2038

La Gaffeliere 2018 is deep garnet purple in color. The nose begins with notes of new leather, cedar chest, and smoked meats, giving way to notions of prunes and fruit cake, with a waft of dried sage. The medium to full-bodied palate has a firm, yet velvety, texture with soft acidity and an opulent finish.

A very fine success thanks to the Cabernet Francs, which balance the framework from the attack through to the finish. The limestone grain stretches the wine magnificently.

The wine is entirely focused on its crisp freshness and tension. A saline elegance emerges overall, carried by expressive, structured tannins.

The nose opens discreetly, with a vegetal delicacy of small flowers and all the most pleasant farm aromas: hay, forage herbs, carrot flowers. On the palate, we are carried to another dimension—celestial and dazzling in finesse—before it lingers on a very sapid finish, with sweet-and-sour Morello cherries and very fine, distinguished tannins.

Ruby red. A delightful, pleasure-giving wine that truly embodies St-Emilion, with a fruity bouquet and a crunchy, juicy bite on the palate… and all that in a 2018!

The nose is elegant and offers power (in finesse), richness, a lovely fine grain and depth. It reveals notes of ripe wild blackcurrant, wild blackberry, cornflower and, more lightly, bright blue fruits, combined with small hints of violet, blond tobacco and a very discreet hint of Sichuan pepper. The palate is fruity, juicy and offers lovely freshness, definition, length, as well as a fine grain and a delicate, zesty backbone. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/bright blackcurrant, blackberry and, more lightly, juicy/fresh strawberry, combined with touches of small juicy/fresh red berries, bright blueberry, as well as subtle hints of lily, racy/terroir-driven minerality, very fine hints of toast, nutmeg and blond tobacco. An imperceptible hint of chocolate on the finish. Good length. The tannins are fine and elegant. An imperceptible (pleasant) varietal note on the finish/persistence.

Tasted five times over the last few months, it is showing at its best today. Dark color, intense and beautiful. Fine nose, fruity, subtle and deep. At the very least, this generous vintage gives this delicately styled wine extra substance. Broad and precise, with a noble touch and plenty of class throughout, the wine stretches into a precise, persistent, deep finish on fine tannins. It’s superb.