Château La Gaffelière 2024

Astonishingly dense color; radiant bouquet with plenty of fruit, dark and red berries, dark chocolate, peppery spice; elegant on the palate, remarkably fine-grained, with gripping tannins, crisp fruit, no dips, juicy, red-fruited and incredibly fresh. Outstandingly successful this year.

Fragrant blackcurrant and plum notes on the nose. Clean, juicy and so lifted, this has great purity and focus from the start but also a sense of brightness and tang that gives it a happy, joyful character before salty tannins and saline notes come through. Finessed and sophisticated with uber charm. A totally delicious and easy-drinking wine. Great energy, sapidity and freshness. Delicate but just so drinkable.

Flowers, and plums define the wine in the perfume, and on the medium-bodied palate, finishing with light, bright fresh, black cherries, licorice, and a touch of cocoa in the mid palate, and in the mineral-tinted finish. The wine blends 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc. Since 2014, Clos La Gaffeliere has been a unique wine from a parcel selection and not the second wine of La Gaffeliere. Drink from 2027-2037. 89-91 Pts

Slightly reserved, the bouquet nonetheless suggests a very lovely, deep, juicy fruit with impressive intensity. Restrained overall, the substance still struggles to reveal its personality, even though the fruit lingers along a tangy framework. The grainy texture adds density on the finish.

Smoky oak impact on the opening, dense fruit to accompany, with lilac and iris, chalky palma violets, good quality and texture, cloves and cassis. Austerity comes in pretty strongly through the mid palate, this is one to look out for after ageing, and is a potential upscore in bottle. Third vintage since they stepped back from the classification. Harvest 25 September to 7 October. 50% new oak. Tasted twice.

A beautiful deep red color with purplish highlights. Very aromatic nose, with ripe yet fresh fruit notes. The palate is all about soft, silky smoothness, with a medium body and moderate length. Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol content: 14.3° – pH: 3.36. Yield: 40 hl/ha.