La Gaffeliere 2023 (750ML)

93-96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2023 La Gaffelière is a dense, powerful wine. As has been the case since 2018, La Gaffelière has a strong Franc component—40% in 2023. Usually, the aromatics are quite lifted, but this wine is rather dense. Nothing in particular stands out, as all the elements are impeccably balanced. This will need time to be at its best, but it shows promise. The introduction of 500-liter barrels and a reduction of new oak closes the wine a bit, but there's a ton of raw energy here and a good bit of tannin, too." 04/24

96-98 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent: “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.” 4/24

94-97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: “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.” 4/24

95 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2023 La Gaffeliere was deeply impressive out of barrel. Now in bottle, it has a sublime bouquet with precise and focused brambly red fruit, undergirded by fine mineralite and tension. The oak is seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied and silky smooth. Perfectly pitched acidity, this has a surfeit of nascent energy and a brightness on the finish that sets it apart from many. Gifted." 02/26

95 Points, Zekun Shuai, JamesSuckling.com: "Aromas of ripe black cherries, mulberries and touches of iodine and violet extract. Full-bodied, flavorful and structured but finely etched, with fine tannins, good acidity and a long, Fine finish. 58% merlot and 42% cabernet franc. Better from 2027." 12/25