Château La Gaffelière 1994

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château La Gaffelière 1994

Tasting

Colour
This red wine displays an evolved colour of medium intensity. Its garnet core remains dark and deep, while the rim is lightening, a sign of its maturity.

Nose
The bouquet is particularly intense and highly complex. It offers deep aromas of blackcurrant alongside tertiary notes of leather, tar and wood. With aeration, softer touches of coffee, cream and very ripe fruit enrich this aromatic palette.

Palate
The attack is pleasant and caressing, giving way to fine concentration. The tannic structure is long and elegant, though marked by a firmness and austerity typical of the vintage. With its masculine, earthy profile, this wine stretches out into a finish of notable length.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine of character pairs beautifully with rich, intense dishes. It will elevate game such as casserole-roasted woodcock or hare à la royale. It is also a wonderful match for fine cuts of red meat, such as tournedos with bone marrow, as well as traditional French dishes slow-cooked in sauce.

Serving and cellaring

To soften its tannic structure and fully release its tertiary aromas, gently decant this 1994 vintage before serving it at the appropriate temperature. Built on a solid frame, this age-worthy wine has come through the decades with its complexity intact and today offers a tasting experience centred on evolution.

The classic, structured expression of a great Saint-Émilion wine

The estate

Located on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, Château La Gaffelière has ancient winegrowing roots, although the family estate dates back to 1670. Continuously owned by the de Malet Roquefort family for several centuries, it is now run by Alexandre de Malet Roquefort. This historic estate stands out for its deep commitment to terroir and for a vision that bridges tradition and modernity. Formerly a Premier Grand Cru Classé B, the château chose to withdraw from the classification in 2022 in order to preserve its identity and its independent pursuit of quality.

The vineyard

The vineyard covers 22 hectares in the heart of the Saint-Emilion appellation. Ideally set against the south-facing slope, between the renowned Ausone and Pavie estates, the vines enjoy a sunny exposure and excellent drainage. This exceptional terroir is divided into three complementary geological zones: a limestone plateau that brings freshness, a clay-limestone slope that provides power, and a siliceous foot of the slope that gives the grapes suppleness.

The vintage

1994 proved a complex year in terms of weather, making it difficult for red grapes to reach perfect phenolic ripeness. These more challenging conditions produced a harvest that called for rigorous selection, resulting in wines with a firmer, more austere structure than usual.

Grape varieties

This wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.