Appellation | Saint Émilion Grand Cru

Classification | Premier Grand Cru Classé

Grape | 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon

Ageing | In new barrels (55%), on fine lees, for 17 months

Tasting notes | "The aromas of violets and rose petals are prevalent here with blue fruits as well. Full body, integrated and firm tannins and a long finish. Structured yet fine and shows such finesse. Give it five or six years to come together". James Suckling

Paring | Ideal with beef and lamb dishes 

Critic notes/awards | 96/100 James Suckling

Available in case of 6 or 12 (not available for individual sale).

The Château

Château Canon La Gaffelière is a property in Saint-Émilion, producing a wine that is known for its elegance and finesse. In 2012, it was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé status.

The 19.5-hectare (48-acre) vineyard is a mix of clay-limestone and clay-sand soils, with predominantly sandy topsoils. These characteristics are well-suited to the grape varieties planted here: 55 percent Merlot, 40 percent Cabernet Franc and 5 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. At harvest, the grapes are hand-harvested and destemmed, then fermented without crushing in temperature-controlled wooden vats. They are then aged in mostly new oak barrels for up to 20 months.

Canon La Gaffelière began as two separate estates, Canon Boitard and La Gaffeliere Boitard, in the 19th Century. They were eventually combined, and bought by the Von Neipperg family in 1971. Current proprietor Count Stephan von Neipperg also owns La Mondotte, Clos de L'Oratoire and Château Peyreau in Saint-Émilion, plus a handful of other estates around Bordeaux.

Current owner: Vineyards Counts von Neipperg
Soils: Clay-limestone. Clay-sandy at the foot of the coast
Farming: Manual, in crates. Double sorting before and after scraping. No crushing. Arrival of the harvest by conveyor belt
Vines: On average 50 years of age