Château La Gaffelière 2015

Multi-layered, with well-balanced density, tightly knit, a juicy, long berry finish; delightful.

Enticing warm plum, fig and blackberry compote notes roll through, inlaid with singed alder and tobacco accents. There's a light tug of warm cast iron and another wave of fruit after that, all supported by well-buried chalky minerality. This is a very strong showing and has put on some weight since the barrel tasting. Best from 2020 through 2040. 6,665 cases made.

Complex, poised aromas of spiced cedar, prune and blackcurrant. Elevated and elegant, with a lovely texture and ripe tannins. Rounded mouthfeel, juicy acidity. The finish is fresh, slightly dry and superbly balanced.

Impressive deep-set dark cherries, blueberries and dark plums here with neatly fitted spicy oak, which adds immediate complexity. Deep, long and fresh with vibrant acidity, underpinning ripe blackberries, plums and hints of chocolate. Superb wine. Try from 2022.

The 2015 La Gaffelière is a wine of total finesse. Much less obvious and overt than most Saint-Émilions in this vintage, La Gaffelière makes its case on harmony and grace above all else. Bright, lifted Cabernet Franc–infused aromatics give the 2015 striking freshness and aromatic presence. The flavors are bright and nuanced to the core, with plenty of red cherry, espresso and floral notes. But back to the basics. In 2015 La Gaffelière is a wine that stands out because of its impeccable balance and sense of proportion. I loved it. Tasted two times.

Silky tannins, a soft, polished texture, ripe sweet red fruits, flowers, smoke, black licorice, espresso and wet earth are easily found. There is richness, character and length; with time in the cellar, this should gain more complexity and nuance.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim, fresh red cherry fruit, orange zest, wild dark berry fruit, mineral touch. Tight-knit on the palate, firm body, freshly structured, fine tannins, soft nougat on the finish, good persistence, good ageing potential.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with lilac hues on the rim. Spicy, baroque bouquet with tobacco and dark plum notes. On the palate, meaty, seeming a bit dry due to its massive tannins. More power than juiciness. But it has always been like that.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with lilac hues on the rim. Spicy, baroque bouquet with notes of tobacco and dark plum. On the palate, fleshy, seeming a bit dry due to its massive tannins. More power than juice. But it has always been like that.

Red-berry, herbal, and mineral bouquet, cherries, chalk, wood. Light, firm palate with plenty of lightly sandy tannins, medium fruit, light, sweet aromatics, muscular structure, dry finish. 16/20 2022 - 2034

A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, La Gaffeliere 2015 is medium to deep garnet in color. It opens with slowly emerging scents of baked black plum, boysenberry preserves and tobacco leaf, plus suggestions of Indian spices and truffles. The full-bodied palate is rich with black fruit preserves and earthy layers, framed by grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy.

Elevated by the meticulous work of Stéphane Derenoncourt, the family Malet de Roquefort cru has achieved one of the finest vintages in its history. Complex, dense, and racy, the wine subtly develops a broad body with tight, silky grain and great freshness. Remarkably crafted and balanced, la-gaffelière is a charmer built to last.

2015 is a brilliant success that marks an important milestone in the château’s current revival, combining depth of texture, refinement of structure and aromatic distinction, with a moving hint of decadence (a sublime potpourri, carried and not weighed down by a touch of lactic character).

The nose is intense and transports the taster. The wine is ripe, indulgent and silky, and the palate finishes on fine bitters.

Logo on the cork: CB Dark, intense, and vivid color. Moderately intense nose with ripe, suave fruit. Tender, fruity, tasty palate that develops pleasantly, with brightness in flavor from mid-palate to finish. The wine ends very long, more suave and less airy than 2016.

94–96. Barrel Sample. The superrich wine has fine acidity that shows through the velvety tannins. It is a wine that is already finely balanced, with elegant and perfumed blackberry fruits.