Clos La Gaffelière 2021

In 2021, the grand vin stands out clearly from the rest of the range through its refinement and its invigorating mineral character. A subtle fresh austerity takes a backseat to the wine's substance, which displays considerable panache. A serene future awaits it.

A flamboyance of violet, dark and seductive fruits perfumes the nose. On the palate, the wine is light, lifted, with a freshness that rises toward the upper part of the palate.

The 2021 Clos La Gaffelière has a commendable bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, cedar and touches of mint, perhaps just a little Left Bank in style. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins and a nice prickle of black pepper, although the finish comes across a bit rustic and needs to muster more breeding.

Presents a pretty solid core of black cherry and cassis notes (for the vintage), while apple wood, sweet tobacco and black tea flavors fill in. The finish reveals a sanguine, chalky underpinning, which stays fresh and helps minimize the vintage’s austere side. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035. 7,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.

Fragrant and ripe fruit on the nose, perfumed black cherries and a dusting of milk chocolate. Lots of toasted aromatics too—wood, clove, cinnamon and spice. Weighty and well textured, this has a lovely presence on the palate, pure but concentrated yet cool at the same time. Stylish with energy and focus. Really carries across the palate, with plenty of movement and forward momentum. One of the more complete wines in terms of energy and harmony. The oak is still there, so this will age, but it’s already showing beautifully.

Plummy, polished, soft, and fresh, the floral characteristics on the nose make an impression before you experience the multiple layers of sweet, ripe, juicy, dark plums, espresso, and chocolate in the mid-palate and in the round, soft, silky, long finish. Drink from 2023-2050. 93-95

Deep, dark ruby core with a purple tinge to a narrow rim. Delicate nougat and black cherries, a touch of plum and orange zest, fine noble wood spices. Juicy, fresh, dark berries and a little cassis, integrated tannins, a chocolaty touch on the finish. Certainly has ageing potential.

A huge success in the vintage, the 2021 Château La Gaffelière checks in as an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot that was raised in 50% new oak. Gorgeous cassis and black raspberry-like fruit as well as flowers, cedary herbs, and graphite all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a silky, layered, elegant mouthfeel, gorgeous tannins, and outstanding length. It's clearly up with the top handful of wines in the vintage and will have 15-20 years of overall longevity.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc, 13.7% vol. alcohol) Restrained, fine bouquet, strawberries, mocha, wood. Well-structured palate with delicate fruit, plenty of good tannins, muscular structure, closed aromatics, austere finish.

(58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc, 13.7% alc. vol.) Restrained, fine bouquet, strawberry, mocha, wood. Well-structured palate with delicate fruit, plenty of good tannins, muscular structure, closed aromatics, austere finish. 17/20 2029 - 2045

Skilful use of sweet oak, edges of grilled vanilla bean, carefully balanced with raspberry puree, cranberry, leather, elderflower. This got one of my highest scores in a challenging vintage when tasted just after bottling, and it has maintained its impressive performance. This is also a vintage with a footnote in history for Gaffelière, the last one bottled as a Premier Grand Cru Classé. 50% new oak for ageing, Stéphane Derenoncourt consultant.

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, La Gaffeliere 2021 has a deep garnet-purple color. It delivers notes of crushed redcurrants, kirsch, and juicy plums, leading to hints of fragrant soil, Sichuan pepper, and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate has a good concentration of black fruits, with approachable tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a savory note.

The complexity displayed by La Gaffelière’s bouquet sets the tone from the outset. This diversity and depth are the result of a pursuit of perfection, seeking the complexity that the terroir can impart—provided it can be tamed! I believe that has been achieved, especially after tasting the wine. Indeed, the grandeur heralded by the bouquet is fully delivered on the palate. The wine has density, tight tannins, and an acid structure that perfectly carries the aromatic intensity through to the finish. It’s worth noting that a great wine is defined by its ability to perform in more challenging vintages… Mission accomplished! A wine you need in your cellar…

Beautiful deep red colour with black hints. Intense, refined nose with pure, subtle fruit and above all perfumed. Meticulous on entry, highly aromatic mid-palate, with class in the texture and plenty of flavours, the wine melts smoothly on the palate, juicy, noble and very distinguished in its structure and aromas. Well done! Worth noting slightly more new barrels than usual in the ageing process, including 500-litre barrels.

This is beautifully textured with great black fruits and rich tannins. The wine's polished perfumes give a refined, finely textured wine. Ready to age, drink from 2028.

The 2021 La Gaffelière is quite rich and generous by the standards of the vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries and raspberries mingled with licorice, pencil shavings and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless, it has good depth at the core, lively acids and a sapid finish.