95
Decanter: "Fragrant blackcurrants and plum notes on the nose Clean, juicy and so lifted, this has great purity and focus from the start but also a sense of brightness and tang which gives him a happy, joyous aspect before salty tannins and saline notes come through. Finessed and sophisticated with uber charm. A totally delicious and easy drinking wine. Great energy, sapidity and freshness. Delicate but just so drinkable."
94-
96
Lisa Perrotti-Brown: "Deep garnet-purple colored. Needs some patient swirling to wake up scents of fresh black cherries, black plums, and boysenberries, followed by hints of underbrush, anise, and fragrant soil. The medium-bodied palate has plush tannins and refreshing acidity framing the juicy black fruit flavors, finishing long and perfumed."
93-
95
Jeb Dunnuck: "Based on 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, and aging in 50% new oak, the 2024 Château La Gaffelière sports a deep purple hue and reveals darker cherries, blue fruits, graphite, and floral nuances. Medium-bodied and nicely concentrated, it has a focused, elegant mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish."
93-
94
James Suckling: "Rose petals, some black cherries and red berries. A hint of coffee beans. Fleshier on the palate than many of its counterparts, showing medium body and bright acidity. Good length to close."
93
Jane Anson: "Smoky oak impact on the opening, dense fruit to accompany, with lilac and iris, chalky palma violets, good quality and texture, cloves and cassis. Austerity comes in pretty strongly through the mid palate, this is one to look out for after ageing, and is a potential upscore in bottle. Third vintage since they stepped back from the classification. Harvest 25 September to 7 October. 50% new oak. Tasted twice."
93
Falstaff: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach Lakritze, florale Nuancen, rotes Waldbeerkonfit, Himbeeren, attraktives Bukett. Saftig, engmaschig, sehr frisch, rote Kirschen und Ribiseln im Abgang, mineralisch, gut Länge, individueller Stil mit Pfiff."
92-
94
The Wine Cellar Insider: "Flowers, oceanic and marine influences, black cherries, plums, cocoa, espresso, and licorice fill the nose with their perfume. On the palate, the wine is fresh, vibrant, fruity, and juicy, with its salty-edged, plummy profile. Elegant and lively, it can be enjoyed after just a few years of aging. The wine blends 60% Merlot, with 40% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% ABV. Harvesting took place, September 24 - October 8. Drink from 2028-2042."
17,5
Weinwisser: "Komplexes Bouquet, zarte rotbeerige Konturen, Grafit und Fliedernote. Am eleganten Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanningerüst, straff, maskuliner Körper. Im gebündelten Finale Kirschhaut, Wacholder und mehlige Adstringenz. Ein männlicher Saint-Émilion, der noch zulegen kann."
90-
92
Wine Advocate: "Unwinding in the glass with a gently oaky bouquet of dark berries, spices, mulberries and licorice, the 2024 La Gaffelière is medium to full-bodied, lively and tense. Its incisive mid-palate is framed by brittle tannins that assert themselves in a short, chalky finish. Time will likely tame its slight rusticity."
