Tech Notes
Wine Details
Vinous
Wine Enthusiast
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The Wine Independent
Decanter
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
The Wine Cellar Insider
Jeb Dunnuck
By Chateau La Gaffeliere
2018 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe 1B
Vintage Notes
The winter was very wet, so getting into the vineyard before the beginning of April was difficult. Budburst occurred in early April. We escaped two hailstorms at the end of May. Flowering was accompanied by heavy rainfall, but fortunately, fruit set was not affected much. Storms in June and July intensified the pressure from mildew until veraison, which occurred at the end of July for Merlot and in August for Cabernet Franc. Early August saw a heatwave, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees C, causing some blockage at the end of the veraison. We had to do some thinning on the Cabernet Franc for ripening purposes by removing bunches that showed delayed veraison. The whites were picked on August 30th to maintain a certain acidity. High temperatures and mild weather allowed for harvesting in good conditions. Cool nights and warm days favored finesse in the tannins.
Vineyard Details
Area: 38 hectares, of which 22 hectares are 1st Grand Cru Classe
Soil: Limestone plateau, clay-limestone hillsides, more siliceous at the foot of the slopes
Harvest Dates: September 10th to 25th (Merlot), October 2nd to 9th (Cabernet Franc)
Winemaking Notes
Integrated farming. Pruning in single and double Guyot, grass cover between rows, leaf removal, and green harvest. Hand-picked into small crates. The grapes are kept for 12 hours in a cold room at 7 degrees C before passing through the optical sorter. Vinification by parcel in stainless steel temperature-controlled tanks filled by gravity without sulfur. Alcoholic fermentation with pumping over and punching down. Malolactic fermentation in tanks (75%) and barrels (25%). Maceration occurred for 31 days for the Merlot and 33 days for the Cabernet Franc. Aged for 14 to 16 months in 60% new French oak barrels with three rackings.
Technical Details
Blend: 58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc
Acidity: 3.38
pH 3.57
IPT: 76
[Information provided by Beyerman]
Region:
Bordeaux
Vintage:
2018
Grape:
Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Country:
France
Unit Size:
750.00 ML
Alcohol Percentage:
14.50
Appellation:
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Wine: 2018 La Gaffeliere
Score/Rating: 99
Suggested Drinking Window: 2028 - 2043
Review Date: 03/2021
Reviewed By: Antonio Galloni
Tasting Notes: The 2018 La Gaffeliere 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-Emilion. 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 Gaffeliere is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. The blend is [...] Merlot and [...] Cabernet Franc.Â
Wine: Chateau la Gaffeliere 2018 Saint-Emilion
Score/Rating: 97 - Cellar Selection
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink from 2027
Review Date: 05/01/2021
Reviewed By: Roger Voss
Tasting Notes: This estate is on a roll. Replete with powerful tannins and dense black fruits, this latest release continues the succession of fine vintages. Perfumed, ripe with berry flavors and, more importantly, with rich tannins, the wine will age impressively.
Wine: 2018 La Gaffeliere La Gaffeliere
Score/Rating: 97
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2045
Review Date: 03/31/2021
Reviewed By: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Tasting Notes: 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 tannins 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+.
Wine: 2018 La Gaffeliere
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025-2050
Review Date: 02/09/2023
Reviewed By: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Tasting Notes: La Gaffeliere 2018 is deep garnet purple in color. The nose begins with notes of new leather, cedar chest, and smoked meats, giving way to notions of prunes and fruit cake, with a waft of dried sage. The medium to full-bodied palate has a firm, yet velvety, texture with soft acidity and an opulent finish.
Wine: Chateau La Gaffeliere, St-Emilion, 1er Grand Cru Classe B
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2026 - 2045
Review Date: 11/09/2020
Reviewed By: Jane Anson
Tasting Notes: The combination of Cabernet Franc and limestone give this wine both a beautifully floral-laced nose, and a sense of energy and lift as it travels through the palate. Extremely light-footed for a wine at 14.5 ABV%, barely discernible and the black fruits are followed by juice at every step of the way. Good stuff.
Wine: Chateau La Gaffeliere St.-Emilion 2018
Score/Rating: 95
Review Date: 01/15/2021
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: Aromas of black cherries, flowers and cedar with sandalwood and stone. It's full-bodied and very intense with wonderfully polished tannins that caress your palate and take you away. Give this time to come together. [...].
Wine: Chateau La Gaffeliere St.-Emilion 2018
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink now through 2036
Review Date: 03/31/2021
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Tasting Notes: Expressive and pure, with a long and refined set of cassis, bitter cherry and damson plum flavors entwined with bright savory and taut chalky mineral notes. The fruit darkens a bit through the finish and this adds some flesh and drive as it airs in the glass. Very solid. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Wine: 2018 Chateau La Gaffeliere (St. Emilion Grand Cru)
Score/Rating: 94
Review Date: 04/19/2019
Tasting Notes: Lush, polished and pure, the wine has a roundness to the fruit, flesh, silky tannins and a floral, licorice, espresso, cocoa and red pit fruit, plummy finish. 93-95.
Wine: 2018 Chateau La Gaffeliere
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2021 - 2041
Review Date: 03/11/2021
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck   Â
Tasting Notes: Based on [...] Merlot and [...] Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Chateau La Gaffeliere is another pretty, elegant Saint-Emilion with a classic, mineral-laced style as well as a terrific mix of finesse and richness. Black raspberries, cassis, graphite, white flowers, and chalky minerality give way to a medium to full-bodied, seamless 2018 that offers plenty of concentration, a lively, focused texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's going to evolve for two decades or more.
