Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022

The 2022 Canon-La-Gaffelière soars out of the glass with a rush of exotic floral and spice notes. Rose petal, mint, white pepper, chalk, lavender and mocha make a strong first impression. Lithe and elegant, but with plenty of understated power, the 2022 is an absolute jewel of a wine.

Aromas of ripe redcurrants and hints of caramel and fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary. Medium- to full-bodied, it shows fine tannins under lots of ripe and luscious fruit but is not heavy. The finish is juicy and savory. 35% cabernet franc, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 50% merlot. From organically grown grapes. Attractive already but needs at least three or four years to come around.

Liquorice, cola, cedar and cassis aromatics - intense and evocative in terms of ripeness and concentration. Fleshy and filling, tannins are massy but with a cool, blue fruit and crushed stone aspect alongside clear cedar, tobacco, espresso and clove accents. Still quite streamlined and a little shy with a chalky texture, but feels well worked with focus and precision. There's density on offer, plenty of power that surges from start to finish with an almost sweet acidity that gives some verticality and lift. Not quite settled but leaves a wonderfully moreish flavour and sensation in the mouth. Organic.

A blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Canon la Gaffelière exhibits aromas of raspberries and plums, complemented by notions of iris, rose petals, incense and burning embers. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's supple, suave and sophisticated, with a lively core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish.

Enjoyable brambled fruits, medium intensity ruby colour, smoked earth, cedar and sandalwood, this has a precision and limestone fingerprint. Traces of smoked oak as it opens, this has precision and a limestone fingerprint,with violets, peonies, raspberry leaf. Neipperg family estate, 18ha, certified organic, 47hl/h yield.

Based on 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from clay-limestone and sandy-clay soils, the 2022 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière is concentrated and fresh, with a slightly inward, unevolved style. Ripe blackberries, black cherries, leafy herbs, scorched earth, and floral notes define the aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, it’s vibrant and focused on the palate, with ripe tannins and a pure, seamless mouthfeel. This exotic, perfumed, lifted, spicy wine will benefit from time in the cellar.

The 2022 Canon La Gaffelière, from Von Neipperg's stable, needed time to open in the glass. Initially understated, it offers brambly red fruit, undergrowth and limestone scents that gain cohesion with aeration. The palate is fresh and vibrant with chalky tannins and a silver bead of acidity. It’s taut and linear yet with ample tart red fruit enlivening the finish. This classically-styled, slightly peppery Canon La Gaffelière should age well in bottle. It is excellent.