Château Canon la Gaffeliere - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018
Château Canon La Gaffelière is located on the pied de côte (foot of the slope) south of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion. It's terroir consists of clay-limestone and clay-sand soil that is very permeable and particularly efficient at retaining heat. Wine from different plots is kept separate during aging on the lees and receives individual attention. Barrels are carefully selected to complement rather than overwhelm the wine's intrinsic fruitiness. The final blend is only made after an average 18 months of barrel aging. The wine is classy, remarkably well-structured, complex, pure, and always elegant. Blend: 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon "This has a lovely core of mulled cassis, damson plum and raspberry reduction notes, framed with an applewood note that integrates nicely while red tea, savory and chalky mineral notes develop through the finish. Restrained style, precise and very long. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2038." - 96 Points, Wine Spectator "This has the clear edge over La Mondotte for me because it combines the polish and glamour of a St-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé with the salt taffy tang of limestone. Still a silky texture but a more attractive slate edge coming in on the finish to temper the sweet fruit and slow things down. A highly impressive wine. The harvest ran from 19 September to 4 October. 50% new oak. Certified organic. Drinking Window 2028 - 2045" - 95 Points, Decanter "Another beautiful vintage for this cuvée, the 2018 Château Canon La Gaffelière is based on 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, brought up in 50% new French oak, with the balance all in used barrels. It's never the biggest or richest wine in the vintage yet always has a classic Saint-Emilion elegance as well as brilliant minerality. The 2018 reveals a dense purple hue to go with an already complex bouquet of kirsch, blackberries, new saddle leather, bouquet garni, tobacco, and flowery incense. With medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish, it builds nicely with time in the glass and is a complex, flawlessly balanced Saint-Emilion that offers both hedonistic and intellectual pleasure. It's going to keep for 20-30 years, and I'd recommend a healthy decant or a good 4-6 years of bottle age." - 95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck Producer: Château Canon la Gaffeliere Country: France Region: Bordeaux Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon Appellation: Saint-Émilion Vintage: 2018 Size: 750ml