Chateau La Gaffeliere Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017

The 2017 La Gaffelière possesses off-the-charts aromatic intensity in a mid-weight style that is hugely appealing. Wild rose petals, blood orange and spice give the 2017 striking aromatic intensity. Medium in body, lithe and supremely gracious, the 2017 is one of the real highlights of this challenging vintage. It is such a gorgeous wine. Don't miss it.

The 2017 La Gaffeliere is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the nose is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal fragrant scents of kirsch, black raspberries and warm plums plus suggestions of unsmoked cigars, rosehip tea and underbrush. Medium-bodied, the palate has fantastic elegance and sophistication, with tons of bright, perfumed fruit and exquisitely ripe tannins, finishing with bags of freshness and energy. Since the lower-lying sections of La Gaffeliere were affected by frost this year, this wine mainly comes from the section up on the Saint-Émilion plateau, near Ausone. Truly impressive!

Richly layered, clearly one of the best in this flight, with mouth-watering minerality (for me, that quality always come across as texture not taste). This is an excellent wine, intense in the way that not many are in 2017. Austere but ready to grow, it has bedded down and improved over ageing. An unusual blend because of the frost, but one that they are going to stick to over the long term.

A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, raised in 50% new oak, the 2017 Chateau La Gaffeliere is a beautiful effort from this estate that does everything right. Giving up lots of black raspberry and cassis-like fruits as well as plenty of spice and flowery incense, it hits the palate with medium to full body, a rounded, elegant texture, and sweet tannins. It's a beautifully classic, elegant wine from this team that will evolve nicely for over two decades.

The 2017 La Gaffelière has quite a high toned, floral, crème de cassis and black cherry scented bouquet that feels well defined, although the oak sticks out at the moment and will require several years to be absorbed. The palate is medium-bodied with quite bold tannin, layers of blackberry and black cherry fruit laced with graphite and spices. It feels like a solid La Gaffelière but it needs to manifest more elegance on the finish. However, I appreciate the purity of this Saint-Émilion and its persistence.