The Story
A prestigious Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé with expressive aromas of blackberry, black cherry, violet, graphite, cedar, and exotic spice. Silky tannins, vibrant freshness, and remarkable precision create an elegant Bordeaux with exceptional depth and outstanding aging potential.
Food Pairing: Pair with beef Wellington, roast lamb, duck breast, venison, truffle dishes, aged Comté, or wild mushroom risotto.
96 Points - James Suckling
The aromas are wonderfully complex, revealing sweet tobacco, black truffle, blueberry, blackberry and subtle menthol notes. Full-bodied yet remarkably elegant, with finesse, purity and beautifully integrated tannins that melt seamlessly into the wine. A fabulous young Saint-Émilion. Try from 2023.
96 Points - Vinous
The 2016 Canon La Gaffelière is every bit as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel. Bright, intensely aromatic and exceptionally precise, it bursts with sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and rose petal aromas. Silky, refined and beautifully nuanced, this vintage emphasizes elegance and balance over sheer power. A compelling wine with tremendous class.
95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
One of the most elegant and seamless wines of the vintage, the 2016 Canon La Gaffelière is a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 60% new French oak. Medium- to full-bodied, it combines brilliant minerality with cassis, spice box, cedar, licorice and dried earth. Silky tannins, flawless balance and a long finish highlight the purity and elegance of the vintage. Enjoy over the next 20+ years.
95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from organically certified vines, the 2016 Canon La Gaffelière offers one of the estate's most cerebral aromatic profiles, combining mineral-rich red and black fruit with flinty precision. Beautifully balanced and driven by the Cabernet component, the palate features lifted black fruit, graphite notes and a distinctly Left Bank character. Fresh, taut and linear, it finishes with remarkable persistence. This wine deserves 4–5 years of bottle age and may ultimately surpass the outstanding 2015.
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Bold tannins, rich fruit and vibrant acidity combine to create a wine that is powerful while remaining fresh and elegant. Black-currant flavors shine through the structure, leading to a juicy, perfumed finish. Best after 2025.
95 Points - Wine Spectator
A vibrant core of red and black currant preserves is layered with bramble, roasted applewood and sweet tobacco notes. Outstanding purity, energy and drive carry through to a mouthwatering, mineral-laced finish. Best from 2022 through 2038.
93 Points - Decanter
Another excellent Saint-Émilion from this estate, showcasing careful extraction and beautifully polished black fruit. Supple tannins, rich fruit and fresh acidity create an appealing push-and-pull balance. Certified organic since the 2014 vintage. Drinking Window: 2027–2045.
91 Points - Connoisseurs' Guide
Opening with inviting aromas of red cherries and fine hardwood, this graceful wine balances elegance with vibrant fruit richness. Polished rather than powerful, it possesses lively energy and silky, refined tannins that support at least another five to eight years of cellaring.
Description
A prestigious Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé with expressive aromas of blackberry, black cherry, violet, graphite, cedar, and exotic spice. Silky tannins, vibrant freshness, and remarkable precision create an elegant Bordeaux with exceptional depth and outstanding aging potential.
Food Pairing: Pair with beef Wellington, roast lamb, duck breast, venison, truffle dishes, aged Comté, or wild mushroom risotto.
96 Points - James Suckling
The aromas are wonderfully complex, revealing sweet tobacco, black truffle, blueberry, blackberry and subtle menthol notes. Full-bodied yet remarkably elegant, with finesse, purity and beautifully integrated tannins that melt seamlessly into the wine. A fabulous young Saint-Émilion. Try from 2023.
96 Points - Vinous
The 2016 Canon La Gaffelière is every bit as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel. Bright, intensely aromatic and exceptionally precise, it bursts with sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and rose petal aromas. Silky, refined and beautifully nuanced, this vintage emphasizes elegance and balance over sheer power. A compelling wine with tremendous class.
95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
One of the most elegant and seamless wines of the vintage, the 2016 Canon La Gaffelière is a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 60% new French oak. Medium- to full-bodied, it combines brilliant minerality with cassis, spice box, cedar, licorice and dried earth. Silky tannins, flawless balance and a long finish highlight the purity and elegance of the vintage. Enjoy over the next 20+ years.
95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from organically certified vines, the 2016 Canon La Gaffelière offers one of the estate's most cerebral aromatic profiles, combining mineral-rich red and black fruit with flinty precision. Beautifully balanced and driven by the Cabernet component, the palate features lifted black fruit, graphite notes and a distinctly Left Bank character. Fresh, taut and linear, it finishes with remarkable persistence. This wine deserves 4–5 years of bottle age and may ultimately surpass the outstanding 2015.
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Bold tannins, rich fruit and vibrant acidity combine to create a wine that is powerful while remaining fresh and elegant. Black-currant flavors shine through the structure, leading to a juicy, perfumed finish. Best after 2025.
95 Points - Wine Spectator
A vibrant core of red and black currant preserves is layered with bramble, roasted applewood and sweet tobacco notes. Outstanding purity, energy and drive carry through to a mouthwatering, mineral-laced finish. Best from 2022 through 2038.
93 Points - Decanter
Another excellent Saint-Émilion from this estate, showcasing careful extraction and beautifully polished black fruit. Supple tannins, rich fruit and fresh acidity create an appealing push-and-pull balance. Certified organic since the 2014 vintage. Drinking Window: 2027–2045.
91 Points - Connoisseurs' Guide
Opening with inviting aromas of red cherries and fine hardwood, this graceful wine balances elegance with vibrant fruit richness. Polished rather than powerful, it possesses lively energy and silky, refined tannins that support at least another five to eight years of cellaring.
