96-
98
LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2023 La Gaffeliere is deep garnet-purple in color. It slowly emerges from the glass with fragrant scents of boysenberries, fresh juicy plums, and black raspberries opening out to hints of lilacs, Sichuan pepper, fragrant soil, and cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate is exquisitely knit with filigree layers of black and red berries and floral accents, supported by plush tannins and wonderful tension, finishing long and perfumed. Wow! The blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.50."
94-
97
JEB DUNNUCK: "One of the stars of the vintage, the 2023 Château La Gaffelière checks in as 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc resting in 50% new barrels. Cassis, smoked black fruits, graphite, and crushed stone all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered, concentrated mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. It has a lot of oak but more than enough fruit and texture. It's serious stuff."
18,5
WEINWISSER: "Delikates Bouquet, frischgepflückte Alpenheidelbeere, edle Cassiswürze und satter Veilchenstrauß. Am saftigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett, betörender Extraktfülle und geradlinigem Körper. Im konzentrierten langen Finale eine Explosion von Heidelbeeren, Baumnuss, dunklem Graphit und feinkörniger Adstringenz. So gut wie noch nie!"
95
DECANTER: "A deep nose, floral, so perfumed, lots of ripe black bramble fruit. Concentrated and so full, there’s density on the palate, there’s so much ripe red fruit that fills the mouth with a soft grip to the tannins that support the fruit but doesn't overwhelm. This feels instantly classy, layered and complex with a gentle confidence. It’s round and slightly fleshy, although feels sculpted and muscular with volume, a lovely juiciness and a touch of dark chocolate, cedar and liquorice on the finish. Sophisticated."
94-
96
THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Black plums, flowers, cherries, and fennel fill the nose. On the palate, the wine is luscious, elegant, polished, fresh, sweet, and lifted, with lingering cherries, and plums on the backend in the salted-chocolatey, finish. Drink from 2028-2050."
94-
95
JAMES SUCKLING: "The center-palate reflects excellent terroir, with blackberry, black-olive and walnut aromas and flavors. Tight center-palate with firm but creamy tannins and a flavorful, classy finish."
94
FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feines schwarzes Beerenkonfit, Nuancen von reifen Kirschen, zart nach kandierten Veilchen, einladendes, facettenreiches Bukett. Saftig, frische rote Frucht, feine, integrierte Tannine, lebendig, mineralisch, ein anregender Speisenbegleiter, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial."
