Château La Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé 2014

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

One of the standout wines of the vintage on the Right Bank, we’ve reached another milestone; the higher percentage of Cabernet Franc from the hillside has a direct impact on this much more complex vintage. Best enjoyed before 2040.

About the estate:

Ideally situated on the hillside that extends from Ausone and leads to Belair-Monange, La Gaffelière has undergone a gentle revolution over the past decade: on half of the 22 hectares, under the guidance of Alexandre Malet-Roquefort (whose family has been in Saint-Émilion since the 15th century), the vineyard layout has been optimized. Merlot vines are being uprooted and replaced with Cabernet Franc, which transitions from the sandy soils to the hillside. Its proportion in the blend has increased, reaching up to 40% of the final blend. The results are compelling, yielding wines that are more complex and floral, while preserving the fruit and freshness.

Decanter

About the wine:

Things are really coming together at La Gaffelière, with clear progress in terms of precision, balance, and power. The replanted Cabernet Franc has entered its second decade, beginning to express flavors of black pepper, licorice, and delicate floral aromas, adding acidity and power without overdoing it. This is a great wine, with the generosity and impact of a Saint-Emilion Premier Cru Classé, slowly gaining in complexity. It is destined for a long life. 2023–2042

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

This vineyard, which takes its name from a medieval leper hospital (“gaffet”), is located at the southern entrance to Saint-Émilion, between the hills of Ausone and Pavie. Here, time is measured not in years but in centuries: the remains of a Gallo-Roman villa believed to have belonged to the poet Ausonius have been found here. The Malet Roquefort family (now Count Léo de Malet Roquefort) has been established here since the 17th century. On a single contiguous 22-hectare clay-limestone vineyard planted with Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc, a Premier Grand Cru Classé B is produced; since 2013, it has been crafted in fully renovated production facilities.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Alongside a major restructuring of the vineyard, led by the Derenoncourt team (which involved uprooting and replanting 5 hectares of Cabernet Franc on the magnificent limestone slopes south of the village), Alexandre de Malet, now at the helm, has invested heavily in the technical overhaul of the winery. Following investments in plantings since 2000 and an upgrade of cultivation equipment, La Gaffelière’s production facilities now rank among the elite of the First Growths. Eventually, the grand vin will be sourced 80% from the hillside vineyards (below Belair), leaving the lower slopes—generous but less distinguished—to the second wine, Clos La Gaffelière. In the 1970s and 1980s, La Gaffelière did not always produce a wine worthy of its standing. The worst of that period is now well behind us, and, as fate would have it, the de Malet Roquefort family has just purchased Château Puy-Blanquet, 20 hectares (19 of which are in production) in Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, on a clay-limestone hilltop overlooking the Dordogne, which it had sold to the Jacquet family in the 1960s for inheritance reasons. Championing a classic yet expressive style, without excess, built on the finesse of the mid-palate, this Premier Cru with its exceptional topography continues to surprise, especially since its prices remain reasonable. Here we are at the heart of what is most sensual and unique in Saint-Émilion!

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Barrel sample. This is a refined, aromatic wine with great structure, yet it displays remarkable elegance and superb balance. The dense tannins combine with the freshness and lively fruit of blackcurrant, maintaining a lively mouthfeel. The finish is bright and fruity.

Jancis Robinson

Vinous

About the wine:

A wine of great finesse, the 2014 La Gaffelière is magnificent. Supple on the palate with striking nuances, it offers a captivating interplay between the juicy fruit of the Merlot and the spicy aromas influenced by the Cabernet Franc. The silky tannins enhance the wine’s texture and exceptional precision. Consulting winemakers Stéphane Derenoncourt and Simon Blanchard have done a fabulous job with the 2014. In a word: superb! 2022–2044

James Suckling

About the wine:

I love the precision and vibrancy of this wine, with its berry, mushroom, and floral notes. It has body, yet it’s so tight and refined. Magnificent length and concentration. Drink now or save for later.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

A lovely aroma of blackberries. The wine is very elegant, supple, and full-bodied, with a beautiful mid-palate, charm, and good tannic structure.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is concentrated. It reveals notes of black fruits (blackcurrant…), flowers, and, to a lesser extent, cherry and white pepper. The palate is balanced, elegant, and offers a certain richness. On the palate, there are notes of blackberry, crushed strawberry, and, more subtly, raspberry, combined with a touch of blueberry, mild spices, tobacco leaf, and toasted notes, as well as a very subtle hint of hazelnut and coffee on the finish.