2018 Château La Gaffelière 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion
Producer: Château La Gaffelière
Region: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Country: France
Grapes: 58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2018
Vivino: 4.3
Drink By: 2039
Occasional Wine Note: Have we mentioned that we love Merlot? This wine is just an exemplary offering of the heights Merlot can achieve. Merlot continues to be the #1 grown grape in France and there are 2 regions regarded as producing the best, Pomeral and Saint-Émilion, both on Bordeaux's "Right Bank." Coming from the latter of the 2 sub-regions, this wine really exemplifies great Merlot, as well as just what separates the 1er Grand Cru classification from others. Layers of sweet dark fruits, licorice, leather, and earthy aromas and flavors that just seem perfectly choreographed. Already fantastic with a little time after opening, this one will just get better with another 5+ years.
Vinous
Critic Score: 99
The 2018 La Gaffelière is hands down one of the wines of the vintage. Towering in its stature and vertical lift, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and leather all run through this deep, wonderfully pliant Saint-Émilion. The 2018 is rich, deep and beautifully resonant, with tremendous depth and tons of stature that builds, all framed by beams of supporting minerality that confer vibrancy. La Gaffelière is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. Magnifique!
Wine Advocate
Critic Score: 97
COMMENTARY: Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Gaffeliere is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to offer peeks at notions of stewed red and black plums, mulberries and Morello cherries, plus hints of damp earth, tar and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound, delivering crunchy red and black fruits with an approachable texture of fine-grained tannin's and loads of freshness, finishing long with a lifted perfume. This is a refreshing, beautifully perfumed and skillfully crafted expression of the vintage. Give it 4-5 years in bottle and then enjoy it over the next 20 years+.