Weekly Wine Round-Up (#17)

It’s not every day that your buddy brings you the #2 Wine of the Year as a birthday present. The 2015 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière was anointed by Wine Spectator in 2018 and is showing beautifully. And, yes, of course I opened it up. Who could resist?

The wines of Château Canon La Gaffelière are certified organic and always remarkably well-structured, complex, and elegant. With a blend of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, who can resist this powerful St-Émilion charmer? Fortunately, I have two more stashed away for safe keeping.

2015 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière

4.4 Vivino Stars (525+ reviews)

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 97 Points
Composed of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in French oak, 55% new, for 17 months, the 2015 Canon la Gaffeliere features a deep garnet-purple color and a cedar-laced nose to begin, giving way to fragrant underlying scents of roses and violets with a core of crushed black currants, blackberries and Bing cherries plus hints of fallen leaves and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, the seductively perfumed red and black fruit fills the mouth, framed with plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing very long and minerally.

Wine Spectator 96 Points
Still youthfully tight and backward, with a well-roasted frame of alder and juniper holding sway for now, but the core of cassis, blackberry and plum fruit waits in reserve, showing prodigious depth. When the toast and fruit melds, the backdrop of tobacco, singed iron and chalky minerality will get a turn to show. There’s a lot here. Built for the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2040.

James Suckling 96 Points
The aromas of violets and rose petals are prevalent here with blue fruits as well. Full body, integrated and firm tannins and a long finish. Structured yet fine and shows such finesse. Give it five or six years to come together.