Château La Gaffelière 2023

Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Even better from the bottle than it showed in its barrel tastings, the aromatic profile pops with its floral bouquet of flowers, plums, cherries, cocoa, and licorice. On the palate, the wine is silky, soft, polished, and refined. There is elegance and purity here, with a strong dose of minerality that is apparent in the salted-chocolatey, finish along with its lingering cherries, and plums on the backend. Drink from 2027-2050.

Jeb Dunnuck

From one of the finest estates in Saint-Emilion, the 2023 Château La Gaffelière checks in as 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Franc from clay-limestone soils that spent 21 months in 50% new French oak (including 12% 500-liter barrels) with 2% in amphora. Ripe red and black fruits, leafy, smoky tobacco, graphite, crushed stone, and hints of chocolate all emerge from this brilliant 2023, and it's concentrated and medium-bodied on the palate, with a pure, focused, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. Don't miss it. Drink 2029-2055.

James Suckling

Aromas of ripe black cherries, mulberries and touches of iodine and violet extract. Full-bodied, flavorful and structured but finely etched, with fine tannins, good acidity and a long, Fine finish. 58% merlot and 42% cabernet franc. Better from 2027.