Chateau La Gaffeliere Saint Emilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classe) 2018

Situated south of Saint-Emilion with its unique silhouette, Chateau la Gaffeliere evokes a great wine, a 1st Great Growth since the beginning of St Emilion’s classification in 1959. The vine has been present on the lands of Château La Gaffelière since Gallo-Roman times, as demonstrated by the numerous mosaics discovered by Comte Léo de Malet Roquefort in 1969. A strange coincidence: Ausonius had a vineyard in the same spot (4th century). The Malet Roquefort family is convinced that these mosaics decorated the rooms of his villa. The quality of these decorative elements confirms the richness of this place, called “le Palat” (Palatium = Palace).

The wine comes from an exceptional terroir, a “golden triangle” nested between the hills of Pavie and Ausone.

The family de Malet Roquefort has run the estate with passion for more than 3 centuries, with a single purpose: upgrading the vineyards whilst producing an amazing ageing wine.

Currently, the estate extends to over 32 ha including 22ha in 1st Grand Cru Classé and the vineyard is composed by 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc.

The plots are located on 3 different areas :

The asteriated limestone plateau : clay layers and green marls 3 to 5 meters thick jammed between two limestone bedrocks. The plateau rises 90m above sea level.

From the 16°C, limestone was extracted on a large scale ; the stones were used to build the Bordeaux monuments and mansions.

The hill side, south and south-west facing : it is a favourable position for vine growing because it combines a nice exposure for ripeness and a slope for a natural water drainage. Furthermore, the Fronsac molasse (clay subsoil) helps to regulate the water input and the mineral feeding of the plant.

The foot of the hillside : made of deep carbonates sands. This soil is fragile but healthy. It requires special care and a precise work to bring out the finesse of the grape.

"The 2018 La Gaffelière remains quite backward on the nose; the aromatics are biding their time but will be very attractive, offering pure black cherry, bilberry and light marine aromas that are very well defined. The palate is underpinned by fine, almost filigreed tannins and a superb bead of acidity. This La Gaffelière is harmonious on the finish with seamlessly integrated oak. It should mature beautifully over the next 20–30 years and evolve into one of the standout Saint-Émilions of this vintage."

Neal Martin, Vinous.com, November 2019

Awards:

99 Vinous

97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

97 Wine Enthusiast

96 Decanter

95 James Suckling

94 Wine Spectator

94 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

18/20 La Revue du Vin de France