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 2015 vintage has a very dark red violet color; appealing, lifted, tart black currant, plum nose; silky textured, tart berry, black currant palate. Medium-plus finish.
The vineyard is planted on clay-limestone, clay-sand at the foot of the slope. Grapes are hand-harvested into small crates to avoid bruising. Sorting before and after destemming. No crushing. The grapes arrive on a conveyor belt. Vinified in wooden vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap). Aged in new oak barrels (55%) on the lees for 17 months. No fining is done.
Château la Gaffelière 2016 is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. It presents a dark robe of a brilliant success. On the nose, blackberry dominates and expresses a beautiful aromatic freshness. On the palate, you will be definitively conquered by the notes of plum and berry that give a long finish and refined tannins.
If we had to sum up this Château la Gaffelière, it would be crowned with superlatives! Elegant, racy, fresh, delicate and of absolute purity, this 2016 vintage promises you a good tasting.
"A warm wine rich in tannins and with succulent berry fruits, this is both powerful and elegant. Its density doesn’t detract from the fruitiness that shines out of the wine and balances with the structured aging potential. Drink the wine from 2025. *Editors’ Choice* (RV)"
Wine Enthusiast
Awards:
97/100 Wine Enthusiast
96/100 Decanter
96/100 James Suckling
96/100 Vinous
95/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
94/100 Wine Spectator
