2015 Château La Gaffelière

70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. Dark garnet core. Lighter at the rim. Rich and plush on the nose. Clearly a solar year, the expression ripe and creamy with dark-fruit and chocolate notes. Full and round on the palate. Oozes extract. Powerful structure but coated by the fruit. Perhaps a bit too extracted but just about carries the day. Some potential but you’ll need to like the luxuriant, modern style. (JL)

Impressive deep-set dark cherries, blueberries and dark plums here with neatly fitted spicy oak, which adds immediate complexity. Deep, long and fresh with vibrant acidity, underpinning ripe blackberries, plums and hints of chocolate. Superb wine.

The 2015 La Gaffelière is a wine of total finesse. Much less obvious and overt than most Saint-Émilions in this vintage, La Gaffelière makes its case on harmony and grace above all else. Bright, lifted Cabernet Franc-infused aromatics give the 2015 striking freshness and aromatic presence. The flavors are bright and nuanced to the core, with plenty of red cherry, espresso and floral notes. But back to the basics. In 2015 La Gaffelière is a wine that stands out because of its impeccable balance and sense of proportion. I loved it. (AG)