2017 Ch Canon La Gaffeliere Grand Cru Classé, St-Émilion

This is really excellent for the vintage with wonderful density of fruit in terms of plum liqueur and creme de cassis. The palate’s plush but velvety with round tannins and a long finish. Should drink fabulously when young. So generous but silky and dialed-in.

94-95 points James Suckling

The 2017 La Gaffelière is without question one of the wines of the vintage in Saint- Émilion. Bright, precise and wonderfully lifted, the 2017 is all precision. Exquisite aromatics and lively, red-toned fruit infuse this mid-weight, remarkably pure Saint-Émilion. Spice, blood orange and floral notes add the closing layers of nuance. The 2017 really dazzles. Don't miss it.

94-97 points Antonio Galloni Vinous

Composed of 40% Cabernet Franc and 60% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 La Gaffeliere has pronounced cassis, baked plums and blackberry pie notes with suggestions of lavender, baking spices and rose hip tea. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a firm frame of ripe, fine-grained tannins, an electric intensity of bright black and blue fruits and wonderful freshness, finishing long and minerally. La Gaffelière was significantly affected by frost, but a good portion of the vineyard is up on the hill by Château Ausone, and it is this unaffected section that was largely used to make the grand vin this year. I have to say; this superlative section has produced one of the very finest La Gaffelière’s I have tasted. Consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt confirmed that no second-generation fruit from the lower lying, frost affected plots was used for this wine.

95-97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW for The Wine Advocate

One of Saint Émilion's most respected family estates, Château Canon La Gaffelière has been owned by the von Neipperg family for more than four decades, earning a reputation for wines that beautifully balance richness with finesse. Situated on the prized limestone and clay slopes at the foot of the Saint Émilion plateau, the estate consistently produces Merlot and Cabernet Franc blends that express both the generosity of the vintage and the elegance of their exceptional terroir.

The 2017 vintage rewarded meticulous vineyard management, producing wines of purity, freshness and classical balance. The estate's diverse soils delivered fruit of impressive concentration while preserving aromatic lift and vibrant mineral tension. Careful élevage has created a wine of remarkable harmony, structure and ageing potential that continues to gain complexity with time in bottle.

Deep garnet with youthful ruby highlights, the bouquet reveals aromas of black cherry, ripe plum and blackberry layered with violets, cedar and graphite. As the wine unfolds, notes of truffle, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate and subtle spice emerge, adding depth and unmistakable Saint Émilion character. The palate is beautifully composed, combining generous dark fruits with silky tannins, lively acidity and a finely etched limestone backbone. Long, refined and effortlessly balanced, the finish lingers with savoury complexity, floral perfume and exceptional poise.

An outstanding partner for beef Wellington, roast duck, herb crusted lamb, wild mushroom dishes or mature Comté. Already immensely rewarding with a generous decant, this distinguished Saint Émilion has the pedigree and balance to evolve gracefully for many years.