Château La Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé 2020

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Ideally located on the coastline that extends from Ausone to Belair-Monange, La Gaffelière has undergone a gentle revolution over the last decade: under the leadership of Alexandre Malet-Roquefort (whose family has been in Saint-Émilion since the 15th century), half of the 22 hectares have been replanted with a better mix of grape varieties. Merlot vines have been pulled up and replaced with Cabernet Franc, which has been moved from the sandy soils to the hillside. Its percentage has increased to 40% of the final blend. The result is convincing, with more complex, floral wines that respect the fruit and freshness.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

This vineyard, which takes its name from a medieval hospital for lepers ("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 Ausone have been found here. The Malet Roquefort family (now Count Léo de Malet Roquefort) has been established here since the 17th century. On a 22-hectare vineyard of clay-limestone soil planted with Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc, a Premier Grand Cru Classé B wine is produced, which has been made since 2013 in completely renovated technical buildings.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

About wine:

The aristocratic beauty of this vintage is evident in its prominent structure, taut texture, and perfect proportions. The wine is precise, intense, and invigorating. It comes together in a finish that is more cheerful than the austerity of the beginning.

About the estate:

Alongside a major restructuring of the vineyard under the leadership of the Derenoncourt team (uprooting and replanting 5 hectares of Cabernet Franc on the magnificent limestone hillsides south of the village), Alexandre de Malet, now at the helm, has invested heavily in the technical overhaul of the winery. Following investments in planting since 2000 and the renewal of cultivation equipment, La Gaffelière's production facilities are now on a par with those of the elite premier grands crus classés. Ultimately, 80% of the grand vin will come from the hillside vines (under Belair), leaving the lower slopes, which are generous but less distinguished, for the second wine, Clos La Gaffelière. In the 1970s and 1980s, La Gaffelière did not always produce a wine worthy of its rank. The worst is now well behind us and, in a fitting turn of events, the Malet Roquefort family has just bought Château Puy-Blanquet, 20 hectares (including 19 in production) in Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, on a clay-limestone hilltop overlooking the Dordogne, which it had sold in the 1960s to the Jacquet family for inheritance reasons. Defending a classic but expressive style, without excess, built on the finesse of the second part of the palate, this premier cru with its exceptional topography continues to surprise, especially as its prices remain reasonable. Here we are at the heart of what is most sensual and unique in Saint-Émilion!

Jancis Robinson

Vinous

About wine:

La Gaffelière 2020 is superb. Rich, dense, and explosive. Notes of black cherry, gravel, licorice, toasted herbs, and menthol escape from the glass. Deep, supple, and explosive, the 2020 is magnificent. At this stage, it is still youthful, but that won't be a problem in a few years. This lively and majestic Saint-Émilion is simply exhilarating. 2028-2060

James Suckling

About wine:

Deep, intense notes of plum and blackberry, enhanced by dark chocolate, toasted spices, walnut, crushed graphite, and wet stones. Full-bodied, it has ripe, velvety tannins that flow in a single firm layer across the palate. Very structured. Delicious black and blue fruits coated in chocolate, with a spicy character and a very long finish. 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2028.

Terre de Vins

About wine:

La Gaffelière stands out among the successes of the vintage, expressing a beautiful burst of black fruit on the nose, haloed by heady floral notes. The creamy mouthfeel, supported by a beautiful limestone foundation and tannins of great finesse, confirms the increasing precision of this Premier Grand Cru Classé. A heady finish with notes of fruit brandy.

Yves Beck

About wine:

What energy and detail in Gaffelière 2020! The wine stands out for its vigor, but also for its finesse and its ability to completely overcome the constraints of the vintage. Juicy in character, it has a lively and incisive acid structure, while its perfectly integrated tannins offer power. This Gaffelière seems to me to be very accomplished, high-performing, and capable of aging well for decades to come. The shift that began in 2017 was decisive, with La Gaffelière surpassing its former glory and highlighting its place among the elite of Saint-Emilion. I'm just saying! A very fine achievement to follow as it evolves. 2026-2055