Canon La Gaffeliere 2023 (750ML)

96-97 JS / 95-97 WI / 94-97 VM / 94 DE / 94 JA / 92-94+ JD

Showing al-dente fruit with raspberries, orange peel and other hints of bitter citrus. Medium-bodied with creamy and medium, round tannins leading to a salty finish. Cabernet franc really showing through. A blend of 45% cabernet franc, 35% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon. May be better than 2022. - James Suckling

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Canon la Gaffeliere pops from the glass with exuberant notes of fresh black and red currants, kirsch, and wild blueberries followed by hints of pencil shavings, violets, and mossy tree bark. The elegantly styled, medium-bodied palate is tightly wound and refreshing, with firm fine-grained tannins and bright crunchy red and black berry flavors, finishing long and minerally. The blend is 45% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

The 2023 Canon La Gaffelière is a powerful, dense wine. In recent years Canon La Gaffelière has been on the more perfumed side, but the 2023 moves in a direction of textural intensity. On the other hand, its balance is compelling. Dark red-toned fruit, pomegranate, spice, blood orange, mint and dried herbs open, but only with great reluctance. Tannins are present but also buried by the fruit. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Rich aromatics on the nose, smells deep and dark with violet tones on the nose. Supple and loads of energy straight away, it’s super bright - lively but also quite lean and mineral - a good burst initially but settles quite quickly with chalky tannins that coat the mouth in a fine powdery layer. A little tight and constricted with the structure taking over the fruity acidity. It’s has some finesse and a really long length filled with mint, bramble herbs, lots of aniseed and liquorice spice. I do like it, doesn't quite have the coherence of some others, a little austere but it’s structured and elegant. - Gorgina Hindle, Decanter

Intense blackberry, raspberry, loganberry fruit chracter, love that this is ripe but not overly sweet, has confident sinewy and muscular tannins, well balanced by a ton of fresh fruit with juice and character. Great stuff, with waves of fragrant floral aromatics, and plenty of nuanced personality. Ludovic Neipperg technical director and owner. 47hl/h yield, certified organic since 2014. 40% new oak. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

The 2023 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière checks in as a blend 45% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon raised in 40% new oak. It has a pretty, perfumed, elegant, mineral-driven profile of red and blue fruits as well as tons of floral and spicy nuances. Medium-bodied, finesse-driven, and elegant, with fine tannins on the palate, it has the vintage's pure, elegant style, and while it will offer pleasure in its youth, it's going to benefit from time. - Jeb Dunnuck