Château La Gaffelière 2022

Rich on the nose and palate, floral notes over dark fruit, plenty of spice from Cabernet Franc; on the palate, dense and concentrated, initially opulent, then increasingly slender, straight, gripping, with energy, firm tannins and a spicy, fresh finish. Exceptionally well made, can age.

This offers a pretty captivating display of boysenberry and blackberry purée flavors liberally infused with violet, iris and ink details, while a racy graphite spine provides remarkable length through the well-cut finish. There's some high-gloss toast, but the fruit is in clear command. A real head-turner. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2042. 8,000 cases made, 300 cases imported.

A deep, seductive nose – coffee, chocolate, mocha, tobacco, and spiced sun‑kissed fruit. Intense yet precise aromatics – the signature perfume of Gaffelière. Bright and bold, with juicy fruit and crushed‑velvet tannins. Clean, crisp and so moreish, with a salty tang, strawberry juiciness, and loads of freshness. Harmonised and balanced, with long, layered complexity. Clear structure and power here. Gorgeous.

This shows crushed stones, chalk, salt and blueberries. Violets. Medium- to full-bodied, it’s firm and crunchy with lovely, precise tannins that are long and focused. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. 10% whole-bunch fermentation. Drink after 2027 and beyond.

Opulent, silky, and elegant, the wine is packed with layers of sweet, ripe black cherries, licorice, cocoa, espresso, and salty dark chocolate. Concentrated, intense, and full-bodied, there is width and length to the waves of fruit in the mid-palate that carry through to the finish. Drink from 2029-2060.

Deep dark ruby garnet colour with an opaque core and purple reflections, delicate brightening at the rim. Subtle hints of nougat and coconut, dark berries, fresh plums, fine noble oak, a very inviting bouquet. Juicy, elegant, with fine fruit sweetness, pleasant acidity, silky and persistent, a finesse-driven food wine with some ageing potential.

The 2022 Château La Gaffelière comes from a mix of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc that's from 22 hectares of classic Saint-Emilion limestone soils. The élevage spanned 19 months in just 50% new French oak. Its deep ruby/plum hue is followed by a stunning nose of ripe red and black fruits, spring flowers, spicy wood, and crushed stone-like minerality. With flawless balance, a pure, full-bodied, seamless mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish, it's the finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted and will most likely warrant a perfect rating in a decade. This is pure Saint-Emilion brilliance! Give bottles 4-6 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 20-30 years.

Intense, concentrated, majoring on black cherry, fig, raspberry, has creaminess and juice, great balance of exuberance and freshness, with oyster shell salinity on the finish, and a ton of joy. A little less estate signature than some vintages, as is often the case with 2022, but great limestone terroir shines through, and this is exceptional. One to look out for, and will reward cellaring. 50% new oak for ageing, Stéphane Derenoncourt consultant.

Rich and majestic, displaying purple fruits like a royal cloak. Notes of juniper berry and pink pepper intertwine, followed by a subtle hint of chocolate. The palate, creamy and confident, is typically Bordeaux in character. Beautiful voluptuousness, carried by enticing red fruits, with oak that is not yet fully integrated.

Deep, intense, vibrant colour. Very aromatic nose, refined, fruity and nuanced. Subtle on the attack, with great aromatic power, the wine unfolds with a fine texture into a long, sapid and complex finish. Very meticulous craftsmanship. It's excellent.

Plenty of energy in this wine, still marked by its élevage. It needs air to finally reveal its freshness, with nuances of garrigue, blackcurrant, and raspberry, complemented by a touch of liquorice and peppermint. Dense and juicy on the attack, the wine stands out for its silky character and the serene nature of its power. It owes the latter to exceptional tannins whose sole ambition is to provide vigor while caressing the palate, with the acidic structure as an accomplice to bring a bit of pep to this charming setting.

An impressive wine, full of dark fruits and with rich tannins. This wine is beautifully proportioned. Its concentration, black coffee aroma and ripe tannins all go well together. Drink this fine wine from 2029.