2015 Canon la Gaffeliere
Buying options
Tasting Notes
This estate has gone from strength to strength, with Clive Coates going as far as to say that it is now “a contender for First Growth status.” He continues, writing that “Canon La Gaffeliere is… a wine of elegance and personality. Today it is one of the best of the grands crus classes.” Robert Parker is also a huge fan writing that “this exuberant wine is made in a forward, opulent, sumptuous style…” The 2015 Bordeaux vintage is living up to our very high expectations. For James Suckling it is “a new benchmark” thanks to the phenomenal quality across the board and he emphasises that “no place on earth can make reds quite like the 2015s from Bordeaux.” He is clear in what his readers should do, writing that “I suggest buying some if you haven’t already” while Perrotti-Brown singles out St Emilion for particular praise.
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Composed of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in French oak, 55% new, for 17 months, the 2015 Canon la Gaffeliere features a deep garnet-purple color and a cedar-laced nose to begin, giving way to fragrant underlying scents of roses and violets with a core of crushed black currants, blackberries and Bing cherries plus hints of fallen leaves and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, the seductively perfumed red and black fruit fills the mouth, framed with plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing very long and minerally.
Very tight yet shows wonderful cream and lemon rind texture. Full and powerful with walnut and spice character. Linear and focused. 55% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. Mar 2016, www.JamesSuckling.com
Dark and winey, with currant paste and fig notes backed by slightly briary grip and an ample dose of toast. There’s good energy here and nice vivacity, despite the darker profile today, and this should easily round into form after the élevage. Mar 2016, James Molesworth, www.WineSpectator.com
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About the producer
Owned by the Von Niepperg family (along with one of the original garage wines, La Mondotte), Ch. Canon-la-Gaffelière is known for its opulent, plush style of Saint-Emilion and high percentage of Cabernet.