Château Canon La Gaffelière 2023

Showing al-dente fruit with raspberries, orange peel and other hints of bitter citrus. Medium-bodied with creamy and medium, round tannins leading to a salty finish. Cabernet franc really showing through. A blend of 45% cabernet franc, 35% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon. May be better than 2022.

45% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The quest for precision, fruit and freshness that Stéphane and Ludovic Neipperg have been pursuing in recent years is perfectly embodied in the bouquet of CLG 2023! Subtle and precise, the wine builds to a crescendo, with the driving force of very fine tannins alongside the acid structure. The wine is dense, powerful and lively. 2029-2043

Château Canon La Gaffelière 2023 comprises only 35% Merlot, while Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon comprise 45% and 20%, respectively. This vintage’s fruit aromas are not overly exuberant but exude classic freshness and elegance. The high acidity from the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon makes the aromas of waxberry, sour jujube, and sour cherry lively. At the same time, the unique soft mouthfeel of the Saint-Emilion slopes adds a touch of smoothness and silkiness towards the finish. Hints of traditional Chinese medical herbs and lavender are the defining moments of this wine, making an already crisp and juicy wine even more refreshing.

The 2023 Canon la Gaffelière offers up aromas of minty berries, plums, pencil shavings, dried herbs and bay leaf, followed by a medium to full-bodied, bright and crunchy palate underpinned by tangy acids and chalky tannins. It's a blend of 35% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. William Kelley