2022 Chateau La Gaffeliere 1,5 l - Magnum - St. Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe

Decanter.com – 96 pts – GH: *A little shy on the nose, straight and streamlined, so pure but with grip and attention-holding tannins, very softly grainy but also fresh and mineral giving licks of flint, graphite and mint. Calm and well controlled, nothing too out of place but clearly concentrated and intense with density. Focussed with drive and persistence, mouthwatering strawberry and cherry, with really chalky, crushed stone edges putting you on limestone in St-Emilion. The place speaks in the wine and it has good depth and drive. On the slightly more high toned, muscular, overt edge, needs to soften slightly, but this has detail and precision and exceptional juiciness which is so appealing. Punchy, forward, intense - a gorgeous wine in the making. 3.4pH. 3.55g/l total acidity. HVE3 certified. A yield of 40hl/ha. Ageing 13-15 months, 60% in new barrels. Harvest 7 September - 26 September. Derenoncourt consultants.* - 04/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 96 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Zart tabakig, ein Hauch von Kräuterwürze, Nelken, schwarze Kirschen, kandierte Orangenzesten. Komplex, saftig, feine Extraktsüße, cremige Textur, seidige Tannine, bleibt sehr gut haften, balanciert und mit guter Frische ausgestattet, ein stoffiger Speisenwein mit sicherem Reifepotenzial.* - 01/2023

Vinum Magazin – 18,5/20 pts: *Superbe Aromatik von Beeren, Blumen und Kräutern; voller Ansatz, saftig- fruchtige Entwicklung, fest sitzendes Tannin von besonderem Schliff, grosse Länge auf Noten frischer roter Beeren; hervorragend gemacht, inspiriert.* - 04/2023

WeinWisser – 18+/20pts – GL, TW: *Verwobenes rotbeerig-würziges Bouquet, Johannisbeere, heller Tabak, Graphit, betörender Flieder- und Irisduft. Am eleganten geradlinigen Gaumen mit vibrierender Rasse, engmaschigem kakaoartigem Tanningerüst und perfekt trainiertem Körper. Im gebündelten, langanhaltenden Finale ein voller Korb mit roten Kirschen, Wachsnoten, Wacholder und feinsandiger Adstringenz. Ein Wein mit hohem Lagerpotenzial, der dieses Jahr auf jede Einkaufsliste gehört und noch zulegen kann.* – 04/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 17,5/20pts – JL: *60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Reserved red- and dark-fruit aroma with a chalky freshness. Supple fruit but builds on the palate, the tannins firm but refined. Long and persistent. Structured for ageing.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (98-100) pts – AG: *The 2022 La Gaffelière is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Refined, sculpted and wonderfully precise, La Gaffelière simply has it all. Hints of lavender, mint, blood orange, spice and black cherry fruit all race across the glass. Clean mineral notes and fine tannins support the finish. The delineation here is simply breathtaking. La Gaffelière is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Élevage is expected to be 19 months in 50% new oak and 50% neutral barrels. The 2022 is another exceptional wine from the Malet Roquefort family.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (95-97) pts – NM: *The 2022 La Gaffelière continues this Saint-Émilion's strong run of form in recent years. The nose is extremely pure and shimmers with nascent excitement, beautifully defined with blackberry, raspberry and touches of cassis. If aromatics could "glide" then this would be a prime example. The palate is exquisite in terms of balance, just a little granular in texture. The 60% new oak is seamlessly integrated. There are hints of bay and tea leaf toward the silky-smooth finish, completing a potentially marvelous wine.* - 04/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (96-98) pts – JL: *Rich, lush, deep and concentrated, the wine is fresh rich and vibrant with layers of sweet, ripe, vibrant, plums, cherries, flowers and crushed stones from start to finish. Drink from 2023-2050.* - 05/2023