2018 La Gaffelière, St. Emilion
99VN
97RP
97WE
96DC
95JS
94WS
$89.99
This item is out of stock, would you like to save it and be notified when it's back?
99
Vinous
Reviewed March 2021The 2018 La Gaffelière is hands down one of the wines of the vintage. Towering in its stature and vertical lift, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and leather all run through this deep, wonderfully pliant Saint-Émilion. The 2018 is rich, deep and beautifully resonant, with tremendous depth and tons of stature that builds, all framed by beams of supporting minerality that confer vibrancy. La Gaffelière is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc. Magnifique! (AG)
Professional Reviews
97
Wine Advocate
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Gaffeliere is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to offer peeks at notions of stewed red and black plums, mulberries and Morello cherries, plus hints of damp earth, tar and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound, delivering crunchy red and black fruits with an approachable texture of fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long with a lifted perfume. This is a refreshing, beautifully perfumed and skillfully crafted expression of the vintage. Give it 4-5 years in bottle and then enjoy it over the next 20 years+. (LPB)
97
Wine Enthusiast
This estate is on a roll. Replete with powerful tannins and dense black fruits, this latest release continues the succession of fine vintages. Perfumed, ripe with berry flavors and, more importantly, with rich tannins, the wine will age impressively. *Cellar Selection* (RV)
96
Decanter
The combination of Cabernet Franc and limestone give this wine both a beautifully floral-laced nose, and a sense of energy and lift as it travels through the palate. Extremely light-footed for a wine at 14.5 ABV%, barely discernible and the black fruits are followed by juice at every step of the way. Good stuff. (JA)
Staff Reviews
SL
Simon Li
Review Date: 06/2025Simon Li
The 2018 Château La Gaffelière is a full-bodied, classically styled Saint-Émilion that combines power with finesse. It opens with lush black plum and dark cherry, followed by subtle notes of cigar box, leather, and a whisper of violet. The acidity is beautifully balanced, giving lift to the ripe fruit while keeping the palate vibrant and focused. Silky tannins provide structure without weight, and a limestone-driven minerality runs beneath the surface, adding depth and precision. The 2018 vintage was warm and generous, producing structured yet beautifully expressive wines across Bordeaux. La Gaffelière took full advantage, crafting a wine with impressive aging potential and remarkable purity. A standout from a rising estate, this is a refined and expressive Right Bank Bordeaux that will evolve gracefully over the next decade.
SB
Scott Beckerley
Review Date: 06/2025Scott Beckerley
It was a pleasure to taste this enticing bottling of La Gaffeliere this morning (6/18). Initially, it was a little closed in but, with a little airing, it became quite open with deep, dark red fruits mixed with some black fruits. Dark plum, blackberry, black cherry and a hint of dark cassis. There are some earthy tannins....just the right amount for balance. This is highlighted by bright wood flavors. Overall, it is quite rich and lush with a seamless mouthfeel and texture. Delicious now and will also age beautifully.
AH
Aaron Hughes
Review Date: 06/2025Aaron Hughes
This one is impressive right at the very start, the nose with just a little bit of time open is already so luscious and expressive. There's a high toned super ripe raspberry nose that's kind of mingling with some purple flowers right before the denser black fruit jumps forward carrying with it some dusty cocoa and a little bit of tarry olive. The palate is dense and just a little chewy, the tannin still very present though already very well integrated, already getting finer and smoother. There's a really nice level of acidity that helps the dense black fruit pop just a little bit more, really rich, unctuous, and creamy with a nice level of barrel spices on the finish. This is really elegant wine that has that quintessential "iron fist in a velvet glove" kind of presence on the palate. This is a wine most worthy of a really nice rich cut of steak and that legendary fat potato to accompany it, or maybe some lamb if you're feeling fancy. Most importantly, though, don't miss out on this wine.
Notes
95 points Neal Martin in Vinous: "The 2018 La Gaffelière remains quite backward on the nose; the aromatics are biding their time but will be very attractive, offering pure black cherry, bilberry and light marine aromas that are very well defined. The palate is underpinned by fine, almost filigreed tannins and a superb bead of acidity. This La Gaffelière is harmonious on the finish with seamlessly integrated oak. It should mature beautifully over the next 20–30 years and evolve into one of the standout Saint-Émilions of this vintage." (3/2021)
Details
| Type | Red Wine |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Merlot |
| Origin | Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France |
| Bottle Size | 750 mL |
| SKU | 1533769 |