Château Canon La Gaffelière 2023

Exceptionally high in Cabernet Franc this year—open, floral, very spicy, also showing a character often found in natural wines, very pure; a fresh, supple palate, top-notch tannins, sensational balance, delicate, with red-fruited and citrus notes on the finish. A celebration for the senses.

The 2023 Canon-La-Gaffelière showed well from barrel. Now in bottle, this has an elegant bouquet with brambly red berry fruit, sous-bois, touches of tobacco and a light cedar scent. The palate is medium-bodied with a little chewiness on the entry though that should be remedied with bottle age. What it needs to conjure is more complexity in the middle. The 2023 does not kick on like a delicious 2009 had done the previous week. Perhaps I was expecting a little more from this fine address?

The Cabernet Franc, as well as the Cabernet Sauvignon, really stand out this year. The bouquet is all about its myriad of flowers, mint, cigar wrappers, spice, licorice, and sweet cherries. Intensely mineral-driven, so you get the essence of crushed rocks, and stones paired with waves of sweet, vibrant, pit fruits that taste as good as they feel. The wine blends 45% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2028-2055.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Delicately spicy, black forest berries, a hint of cherries, floral nuances, candied zest, inviting bouquet. Juicy, good complexity, fine fruit expression, balanced and finely structured, ripe cherries on the finish, a delicate style, already accessible.

Intense ruby colour, satiny texture with a reassuring note of salted cracker to balance the exuberant raspberry fruit. It lifts not only on the finish but from the very first moments, stretching out with a kick of slate and crushed rocks. Sleek and burnished. 75% in oak barrels for ageing (40% new) on the lees. 25% in vats. 35 hl/ha.

Rich aromatics on the nose, deep and dark with violet tones. Supple and bursting with energy straight away, it’s super bright – lively yet quite lean and mineral – a good initial burst that settles quickly with chalky tannins coating the mouth in a fine, powdery layer. A little tight and constricted, with the structure taking over the fruity acidity. It has some finesse and a really long finish filled with mint, bramble herbs, plenty of aniseed and liquorice spice. I like it; it doesn’t quite have the coherence of some others, a little austere, but it’s structured and elegant.

A plush and inviting style, with a caressing texture that lets plum sauce and boysenberry compote flavors unfurl gently, as singed anise, apple wood and black tea accents emerge steadily through the finish. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2027 through 2040. 4,900 cases made.

Right from the start, the bouquet of CLG highlights its depth, its many nuances and above all its harmony. Dark berry notes take the lead, ideally supported by hints of liquorice, a touch of currants and also red berries! On the palate, the wine is all about elegance and, by the same token, balance. The symbiosis between smooth yet vigorous tannins and a structuring austerity ensures both ageing potential and aromatic persistence. A complete, compelling wine that sets the benchmark for ageing, while still being enjoyable in its youth… though you’ll still need a little patience!

Dark, intense color. An aromatic nose with ripe, creamy fruit reminiscent of Pomerol. A bit restrained on the attack, the wine comes into its own from the mid-palate onward. Flavorful, it develops into a slightly firm finish. Average length.

Notes of bay leaf, ripe dark berries, spices, plum and dark cherries introduce the 2023 Canon la Gaffelière, a medium- to full-bodied wine that is enveloping and chewy, built around a fleshy core of fruit that gains depth and power over the course of élevage.