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2021 Chateau La Gaffeliere, St Emilion, Bordeaux
Another beautiful wine from Alexandre de Malet Roquefort. He lost some fruit to frost and described the growing season as chaotic, but none of that is evident in this calm and serene wine. Imbued with the cool delicacy that comes from Cabernet Franc on limestone, this has a sense of reserve but without hauteur. The fruit accents are towards red berry, but what beguiles is how its intensity gently amplifies on the palate, culminating in a surprisingly long and insistent finish. Fine and sophisticated. A blend of 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Franc.
Critics
Imbued with the cool delicacy that comes from Cabernet Franc on limestone, this has a sense of reserve but without hauteur. Fine and sophisticated.
BBR website
BBR website
Quite rich and generous by the standards of the vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries and raspberries mingled with liquorice, pencil shavings and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless.
BBR website
Showing well in bottle, with creamy raspberry, a lightness of touch coupled with good concentration and balance. Plenty of appellation limestone signature, delicate but with character and lift.
BBR website
Lovely reduction at first that gives an ashy feel to the red berries, crushed stones, subtle cream and hibiscus. The medium- to full-bodied palate unleashes plenty of fine-grained tannins. Fresh, bright and vertically structured.
BBR website
One of the more complete 2021 wines in terms of energy and harmony. Fragrant and ripe fruit, perfumed black cherries and a dusting of milk chocolate, toasty wood and dark spices. Lovely presence, pure but with concentration and coolness. Stylish.
BBR website
A wine of sublime elegance and understated finesse. Aromatic and pliant, showing the more delicate side of the year, yet all the Gaffelière signatures are present. Lavender, mocha, spice, dried herbs and leather.
BBR website
The 2021 La Gaffelière has quite a powerful bouquet with ample black cherry and raspberry fruit, violet and licorice—aromatics you would misconstrue as those from a warmer growing season. The palate is medium-bodied and fleshy with ripe tannins and good depth. It has more fruit intensity than its peers, yet it manages to retain mineralité and composure toward the finish. This is an excellent Saint-Émilion from the top drawer. Drink 2028 - 2055.
BBR website
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