Château Canon La Gaffelière 2022

What a bouquet: ripe-fruited, expressive, with the finest roasted notes; floral tones, dark cherries, blackberry; imposing, powerful on the palate without being heavy, opulent yet elegant; sensational length; a monumental Canon La Gaffelière.

This starts off with tender raspberry coulis, rooibos tea and savory notes, then slowly builds tension and cut as it moves along, with a long, chalky thread running underneath. A lithe, lacy wine that moves with the grace of a gentle breeze. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2026 through 2038. 7,600 cases made.

Liquorice, cola, cedar and cassis aromatics—intense and evocative in terms of ripeness and concentration. Fleshy and filling, the tannins are massy but show a cool blue-fruit and crushed-stone character alongside clear cedar, tobacco, espresso and clove accents. Still quite streamlined and a little shy with a chalky texture, but it feels well crafted with focus and precision. There’s density on offer, plenty of power that drives from start to finish, with an almost sweet acidity giving verticality and lift. Not quite settled yet but it leaves a wonderfully moreish flavour and sensation in the mouth. Organic.

Aromas of ripe redcurrants and hints of caramel and fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary. Medium- to full-bodied, it shows fine tannins beneath lots of ripe, luscious fruit yet isn’t heavy. The finish is juicy and savory. 35% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. From organically grown grapes. Attractive already but needs at least three or four years to come around.

The 2022 Canon-La-Gaffelière soars out of the glass with a rush of exotic floral and spice notes. Rose petal, mint, white pepper, chalk, lavender and mocha make a strong first impression. Lithe and elegant, but with plenty of understated power, the 2022 is an absolute jewel of a wine.

The vivid floral character sets the wine on the right path. On the palate, it is equally vibrant, revealing layers of plums, smoke, licorice, black cherries, espresso, chocolate, and mint. Its opulent, polished, lively finish is silky and, above all, fresh, concluding with multiple layers of chocolate-covered plums, black cherries, espresso, crushed stones, and spices. The balance, freshness, and purity of the fruit make everything harmonize here. The wine blends 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2027–2055.

Deep, dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, subtly brighter at the rim. Delicate tobacco, a touch of herbal savouriness, clove, black cherry, candied orange zest. Complex, juicy, with fine fruit, creamy texture, silky tannins, good persistence, balanced and endowed with good freshness. A textured food wine with definite ageing potential.

Enjoyable brambled fruits, medium-intensity ruby colour, smoked earth, cedar and sandalwood, this has precision and a limestone fingerprint. Traces of smoked oak as it opens; this has precision and a limestone fingerprint, with violets, peonies, raspberry leaf. Neipperg family estate, 18ha, certified organic, 47hl/ha yield.

On the nose, cheerful and inviting aromatics of blackcurrant, black cherry, and forest floor, with a striking stony mineral note. Ultra-fresh and precise on the palate, dynamic, the wine sparkles with vitality on the tongue. A treat with subtle mocha notes on the finish. A delight.

Deep, intense purplish-red colour. Moderately aromatic nose, fruity with truffle notes. Fleshy on the attack and through the mid-palate, the wine melts on the palate, juicy and more seamless than ever as it unfolds. This gives it real elegance. Good length with no angular tannins.