Château Canon la Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017 b5952cb1c3ab96cb3c8c63cfb3dccaca

Le Point

16,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Nez fruits rouges, bouche tendue, fraîche, élégante, en finesse, joli fruit en finale, cerise, bonne structure. La finesse des francs lui confère beaucoup d’élégance. Contrasté, tonique.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-94 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

A blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 55% new French oak, the 2017 Canon-la-Gaffelière offers a Burgundian mineral-laced bouquet of crushed flowers, forest floor, earth and both black and blue fruits. It has sensational purity, moderate depth, building tannin, and a great finish. It’s certainly one of the fresher, more vibrant wines in the vintage, and the tannins will need to be watched, but its purity and elegance are something. I suspect the cellar will be your friend and it should be long-lived. Tasted twice. 92-94+

Vinifera

92 / 100

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Fruité extravagant tirant sur les agrumes. Bouche à l’avenant, baroque, peu boisée sur cet échantillon, la finale est encore dure. La mini récolte due au gel n’aide sans doute pas à ce stade de la vie du vin, mais il pourrait surprendre en bouteille.

Vinous

92-95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

The 2017 Canon La Gaffelière is superb. Compelling in its aromatics and overall balance, the 2017 has so much to offer. All the elements simply fall into place. As is the case with all of Stephan von Neipperg's wines, the 2017 is wonderfully fresh and nuanced, with less muscle than in the past and noticeably more finesse. Bright floral and mocha notes add lift to the dark red stone fruits. What a gorgeous wine this is. Tasted two times.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

The nose is chalky with dark berries, licorice, wet earth and forest floor aromatics. The wine is full bodied, fresh and mineral driven. You can feel the rocks and stones while enjoying the sweet red fruits and there is a freshness that stands out in the finish. The wine was made from blending 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Half of the vineyard was struck by the frost. The harvest took place September 18-October 10.

Vinous

87-89 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Canon-la-Gaffelière was picked 18 September to 10 October at 16hl/ha, matured in 55% new oak. It has a fairly straightforward bouquet with high-toned black cherry and cassis fruit, the second-generation fruit lending freshness, though it does not have the complexity or depth of a great Canon-la-Gaffelière and there are a number of those in recent years. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, fleshy in the mouth and well balanced with notes of raspberry preserve, blackberry and light tea-leaves; smoky notes emerging towards the finish. This was sampled several times during my tastings, the final two showings undoubtedly superior. Yet despite the Herculean efforts I still feel that the second-generation fruit discombobulates what could have been a better wine. It should still offer a decade’s worth of drinking pleasure and in any case, it will be fascinating to see how it evolves.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

Composed of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Canon la Gaffeliere contains a large part of second-generation fruit because 65% of the crop was affected by frost. Deep garnet-purple in color, it has pronounced crème de cassis, blueberry pie, red currants and red plums notes with touches of Chinese five spice, fragrant earth, tapenade and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with nice firm tannins giving a sturdy frame along with plenty of freshness supporting great mid-palate density, finishing long and earthy.

Decanter.com

90 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

This is really excellent for the vintage with wonderful density of fruit in terms of plum liqueur and creme de cassis. The palate’s plush but velvety with round tannins and a long finish. Should drink fabulously when young. So generous but silky and dialed-in.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018

Charming cassis and blackberry puree flavors glide along the polished structure, with light rooibos tea and anise accents chiming in. Offers a bright, polished finish.—J.M.