Chateau la Gaffeliere 2021

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This is beautifully textured with great black fruits and rich tannins. The wine's polished perfumes give a refined, finely textured wine. Ready to age, drink from 2028."

WEINWISSER: "Der überragende La Gaffelière bestätigt nach der Abfüllung seine hohe Bewertung der Primeurs-Verkostungen. Dunkle, satte, massive Farbe. Satt und dicht erscheint er auch in der Nase, sehr intensiv und finessenreich, ein ganz tiefgründiger, frischer und hochkomplex weittragender St.-Émilion. Großartiger Auftakt im Mund, sehr kompakt, mit groß angelegter Gerbstoff-Prägung, engmaschig, feinkörnig und lang. Ein großer, rassiger La Gaffelière mit viel Fleisch und weit gefasster Struktur, sowie superfeiner Frucht, lang und verdichtet im Nachhall. 13.5 Vol.-%."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Lovely reduction at first that gives an ashy feel to the red berries, crushed stones, subtle cream, hibiscus and some dark-colored fruit. The medium- to full-bodied palate unleashes plenty of fine-grained tannins. Fresh, bright and more vertically structured than many of its peers from this vintage, but it remains polished and textured. Lingering finish. Drink from 2024."

DECANTER: "Fragrant and ripe fruit on the nose, perfumed black cherries and a dusting of milk chocolate. Lots of toasted aromatics too, wood, clove, cinnamon and spice. Weighty and well textured, this has a lovely presence on the palate, pure but with concentration yet cool at the same time. Stylish with energy and focus. Really sustains the palate, lots of movement and forward motion. One of the more complete wines in terms of energy and just harmony. Still the oak there so this will age but a great showing."

JEB DUNNUCK: "A huge success in the vintage, the 2021 Château La Gaffelière checks in as an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot that was raised in 50% new oak. Gorgeous cassis and black raspberry-like fruit as well as flowers, cedary herbs, and graphite all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a silky, layered, elegant mouthfeel, gorgeous tannins, and outstanding length. It's clearly up with the top handful of wines in the vintage and will have 15-20 years of overall longevity."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 La Gaffelière is quite rich and generous by the standards of the vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries and raspberries mingled with licorice, pencil shavings and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless, it has good depth at the core, lively acids and a sapid finish."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, La Gaffeliere 2021 has a deep garnet-purple color. It delivers notes of crushed redcurrants, kirsch, and juicy plums, leading to hints of fragrant soil, Sichuan pepper, and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate has a good concentration of black fruits, with approachable tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a savory note."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feines Nougat, schwarze Kirschen, ein Hauch von Pflaumen und Orangenzesten, zarte Edelholznuancen. Saftig, frisch, dunkle Beeren, etwas Cassis, gut integrierte Tannine, Nelken, schokoladiger Hauch im Abgang, hat einiges Potenzial."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Presents a pretty solid core of black cherry and cassis notes (for the vintage), while apple wood, sweet tobacco and black tea flavors fill in. The finish reveals a sanguine, chalky underpinning, which stays fresh and helps minimize the vintage's austere side. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035. 7,500 cases made, 500 cases imported."