2021 Chateau La Gaffeliere - St. Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe

Decanter.com – 93 pts – GH: *Succulent and supple, sugary, ripe, jammy tannins hit the palate with such a buzz and energy. It's not so complex at this point but I like the upfront nature: it's bright and bold, with bitter, salty minerality also coming through at the end - liquorice sticks, cedar, graphite. Clean, crisp and very enjoyable. Tannins are so smooth just perfectly integrated. Will be great in time and I love the cool mint aspect on the finish.* - 04/2022

Falstaff Magazin – 92 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feines Nougat, schwarze Kirschen, ein Hauch von Pflaumen und Orangenzesten, zarte Edelholznuancen. Saftig, frisch, dunkle Beeren, etwas Cassis, gut integrierte Tannine, Nelken, schokoladiger Hauch im Abgang, hat einiges Potenzial.* - 05/2022

JancisRobinson.com – 16,5+/20pts – JL: *Cask sample. Bright crimson hue. Elegant demeanour with perfumed, red-berry fruit aromas and layered fruit on the palate. Tannins present but finely honed. Long, persistent finish. Matière and potential.* - 04/2022

Vinous.com – (95-97) pts – AG: *The 2021 La Gaffelière is a wine of extraordinary finesse and class. Time in the glass brings out striking depth and complexity. The aromatics alone are beguiling but everything about the 2021 speaks to elegance. Crushed red berry fruit, rose petals, blood orange, mint and saline notes punctuate the finish.* - 04/2022

Vinous.com – (91-93) pts – NM: *The 2021 La Gaffelière was picked September 22 to October 15, and matured in 60% French new oak. There is a healthy 42% Cabernet Franc here. The nose is quite open with black cherry, blueberry and touches of violet and peony; the oak is nicely integrated. In the mouth, this is medium-bodied with fine delineation, good focus and real midpalate weight. Conveying good intensity and vibrancy, this continues a strong run for this Saint-Émilion estate.* - 04/2022

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (93-95) pts – JL: *Plummy, polished, soft, and fresh, the floral characteristics in the nose make an impression before you experience the multiple layers of sweet, ripe, juicy, dark plums, espresso, and chocolate in the mid-palate and in the round, soft, silky, long finish. Drink from 2023-2050.* - 05/2022