2022 - La Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion

The 2022 La Gaffelière is fantastic, but it has also closed down considerably post-bottling. Supremely elegant and perfumed, the 2022 is an absolutely stunning wine. Blood orange, pomegranate, spice, white pepper, dried herbs and all sorts of floral overtones soar from the glass. The Franc is so impressive here. I don't expect this magical Saint-Émilion to be ready any time soon. Today, it is a wine of dazzling complexity and purity for the cellar.

The 2022 La Gaffeliere is composed of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal gorgeous notions of juicy blackberries, redcurrant jelly, and wild blueberries, followed by suggestions of rose oil, cardamom, and fragrant soil. The medium to full-bodied palate has bags of energetic black and red berry layers, supported by beautifully plush tannins and great tension, finishing long and perfumed. What a beauty!

The 2022 La Gaffelière, one of the finest wines I’ve encountered at this address, is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Crafted primarily from the prime hillside vineyards beneath Ausone, this wine exudes violet, dark berries, licorice, cherries and smoke, with subtly integrated oak influences. It's medium to full-bodied, deep and powerful, with a multidimensional, fleshy core of fruit and youthful yet powdery tannins framed by a tense, energetic mid-palate, typical of the limestone soils. Concluding with a long, saline and complex finish that marries tension and charming to pleasing effect, it was matured for 19 months in 50% new barrels.

Intense, concentrated, majoring on black cherry, fig, raspberry, has creaminess and juice, great balance of exuberance and freshness, with oyster shell salinity on the finish, and a ton of joy. A little less estate signature than some vintages, as is often the case with 2022, but great limestone terroir shines through, and this is exceptional. One to look out for, and will reward cellaring. 50% new oak for ageing, Stéphane Derenoncourt consultant.

60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.Reserved red- and dark-fruit aroma with a chalky freshness. Supple fruit but builds on the palate, the tannins firm but refined. Long and persistent. Structured for ageing. (JL)