2016 Château La Gaffelière, St Emilion, Bordeaux

The 2016 La Gaffelière is superb. Vivid and precise, with layers of nuance, the 2016 is a wine of real clarity. Blood orange, lavender, rose petal and mint add brightness to this stunningly beautiful Saint-Émilion. La Gaffelière is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, and it is the Franc that gives the wine so much character and complexity. This is just an irresistibly captivating Saint-Émilion. Stéphane Derenoncourt and Simon Blanchard consult.

Drink 2024 - 2051

70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc.

Still a youthful, crimson hue. Aromatically less precise with briary, dark-fruit notes but the palate is poised and harmonious. Lighter hand on the tiller compared with 2014 and 2015, the tannins and fruit are more refined and there’s plenty of freshness, too. Clean and long with drive on the finish.

Drink 2023 - 2036

A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. 

This is really decadent and rich with great aromas of earth, spice, frostflowers and fresh mushrooms that follow through to a full body, firm and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Very, very serious from here.

Try after 2025

70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc.

This was delicious En Primeur and is even better now with three years under its belt. It's had time to bed down and is fully set for the long term. Wonderfully rich, intense dark fruits are joined by grip and supple tannins through the palate. It has hints of dark chocolate and a floral edge from the Cabernet Franc. Be in no rush to open this, because it's clearly going to deliver over the next few decades. As of this vintage, we are seeing the blend that the estate hopes to maintain.

Drink 2025 - 2044

Deep garnet in color, the 2016 La Gaffeliere has a nose of stewed red plums, black cherries, and kirsch, followed by hints of aniseed, mossy tree bark, and truffles. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and refined, delivering great freshness with soft tannins and an earthy finish.

Drink 2023 - 2043

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 La Gaffeliere opens with compelling wild blueberries, freshly crushed plums and kirsch scents plus hints of garrigue, underbrush, rose hip tea and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully elegant with a soft, velvety texture and seamless freshness carrying the multilayered fruit to a long finish.

Drink 2021 - 2045

Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

The 2016 La Gaffelière has a more savoury, perchance more Cabernet Franc–driven bouquet, but one that is well defined, with cedar and sandalwood notes judiciously tucked behind the brambly red fruit. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Fleshy and generous, yet displaying fine backbone and good persistence on the finish. A Saint-Émilion that has finally found its groove.

Drink 2023 - 2040