Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere 2019

WEINWISSER: "49 % Merlot, 39 % Cabernet Franc, 12 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 51 hl/ha. Undurchsichtiges Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte und lila Rand. Komplexes schwarzbeeriges Bouquet mit ganz viel schwarzen Johannisbeeren, Holundersaft und frischer Schattenmorellenkonfitüre. Im zweiten Ansatz betörende Veilchen, Sandelholz, Marokkominze und Nougatpralinen. Am eleganten Gaumen wie Samt und Seide mit butterweicher Textur, dann packt der Gigant zu und präsentiert seinen perfekt geformten Körper mit dichten Muskeln und kakaoartigem Tannin. Im gebündelten, langen Finale ein Feuerwerk von schwarzen Beeren, dunkler Mineralik, stützender Rasse und Olivenpaste. Das ist kein Frühcharmeur, der hat ein gewaltiges Lagerpotenzial und das katapultiert den Wein in die Spitzengruppe der Appellation!"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2019 Canon la Gaffelière has turned out brilliantly, bursting from the glass with a dramatic bouquet of wild berries, blood orange, exotic spices, rose petals, violets and burning embers. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it's supple and perfumed, with a deep core of lively fruit, melting tannins and a long, saline finish. This contains the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc of any of Stephan Von Neipperg's wines, which no doubt helps to account for its singular personality."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The color of a dark ruby, the first thing you notice is the perfume with all of its flowers, chalk, licorice, mint, smoke and dark plummy notes. On the palate, the wine is supple, fresh, ,concentrated, silky and soft. The fruit shows purity, freshness and spice with a finish packed with roasted cherries and blackberry with just a touch of mint and Indian peppers in the endnote. The wine should age and evolve for 30 years, though it should drink well with 5-7 years in the cellar. Drink from 2025-2049."

DECANTER: "I love the balance on display here, of powerful and softly whispering fruits, a tightrope of acidity and tannins giving structure. Great stuff, with the impact of 2018 but more freshness, although still with the signature glamour of a Neipperg wine in full flight."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zarte Kräuterwürze, rotbeerig unterlegte dunkle Kirschfrucht, zart tabakig, feines Nougat. Saftig, feine Fruchtsüße, reife Tannine, zarter Schokoladetouch im Abgang, ein harmonischer Speisenbegleiter, mineralischer Nachhall, sehr charmanter Stil."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Pepper, bay and roasted tobacco notes give this a distinct persona out of the gate, while sous bois and mulled plum, black currant and black cherry fruit flavors fill in behind. Singed juniper and alder hints add form through the finish. Serious kudos for its range and character, but may be a touch too old school for some folks. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2038. 5,833 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Deep garnet with some development at the rim. Notable mature aromas of cedary undergrowth and a slightly leathery texture. But the development shows fruit and tannins remaining in harmony. Smooth, compact, fresh on the long finish."