2020 Clos La Gaffeliere

Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 La Gaffeliere gallops out of the glass with exuberant scents of crushed black plums, boysenberries and fresh blackberries, plus hints of eucalyptus, dark chocolate, crushed rocks and iron ore, with a waft of lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate shimmers with compelling energy, delivering layers of black and red berries with fantastic tension and finely grained tannins, finishing very long and wonderfully minerally.

60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc. Crimson hue. Dark-fruit aroma but the nose just a little diffuse at present. Probably needs to settle as only bottled in June 2022. Lovely freshness to the palate and, as with the 2019, a silky, smooth texture, the tannins very refined. Definite weight and structure and again precision. (JL)

Perfumed, delicate, generous and evocative in equal measure. The fruit quality is excellent, so vibrant and lifted, shining from the glass. Really bright, full of energy and dynamism. Lovely lifted expression full of rose petals, herbal-tinged raspberries, blackcurrants and plums. Chalky, creamy and salty, with a cooling freshness. Plenty to like with classic elements as well as touches of the hot vintage. It’s not showing its best right now, but this is delicious.