Château Canon La Gaffelière, 2017
Château Canon La Gaffelière, 2017
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- Red Still
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2037
About Château Canon La Gaffelière, 2017
Located on the pied de côte (foot of the slope) south of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, Château Canon La Gaffelière's terroir consists of clay-limestone and clay-sand soil that is very permeable and particularly efficient at retaining heat.
The choice of grape varieties is rather atypical for the appellation in light of the soil: almost a perfect 50/50 divide between Merlot and Cabernet. The Cabernets ripen early and remarkably well on Canon La Gaffelière's warm soil, adding power and aromatic complexity to Merlot's opulence to create wines of natural elegance and finesse.
Currently showing primary kirsch and raspberry fruit beautifully integrated with floral elements, making it approachable now for those who enjoy youthful elegance. Over the next 5-7 years, secondary complexity will emerge as cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs develop whilst the rose petal character remains. The wine should reach its peak around 2032-2038, showing full integration of fruit, flowers, and earthy complexity. After 2040, expect gradual decline as the delicate fruit begins to fade, though the mineral backbone will provide structure for several more years.
What the critics say:
"The 2017 Canon la Gaffeliere is deep garnet-colored. So perfumed on the nose with gorgeous notes of kirsch, black raspberries, and red roses, plus wafts of powdered cinnamon, underbrush, and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is fantastically graceful with fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness supporting the perfumed red and black fruit layers, finishing long and minerally."
"The 2017 Canon La Gaffelière is another highlight in this range from Stephan von Neipperg. Bright, floral and punchy, the 2017 impresses for its energy and drive. Dried rose petal, mint, sage, tobacco, cedar and licorice add pretty top notes to this highly nuanced, layered Saint-Émilion. The Cabernet Franc is so expressive here. Quite simply, the 2017 is a wine of pure and total finesse. Tasted two times."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep garnet with a bright, youthful rim.
NoseImmediately perfumed with kirsch and black raspberries leading, followed by red rose petals and powdered cinnamon. Subtle wafts of underbrush and crushed limestone add mineral complexity beneath the floral lift.
PalateMedium-bodied and graceful rather than powerful, with fine-grained tannins that feel polished and integrated. The perfumed red and black fruit layers show seamless freshness, whilst the Cabernet Franc adds dried herbs and tobacco leaf. The texture is silky but structured.
FinishLong and minerally with rose petal persistence and a touch of graphite.
Overall impressionPure finesse in a bottle, showing why Canon La Gaffelière's terroir suits this elegant style.
Food Pairings
In Saint-Émilion, this refined style pairs beautifully with the region's traditional duck confit or magret de canard, where the wine's elegance complements rather than competes with the rich meat. Local lamb from the Périgord, slow-roasted with herbs de Provence, would highlight the wine's floral character. The area's famous cèpe mushrooms, simply grilled with garlic and parsley, would echo the wine's earthy undertones whilst allowing its mineral precision to shine.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to preserve the delicate floral aromatics that define this wine's character. Decant for 30-45 minutes to allow the perfumed elements to fully express themselves without losing the mineral precision. Use Bordeaux glasses with a generous bowl to concentrate the rose petal and herb aromatics. The wine's elegance means it doesn't need extended breathing time like more powerful Saint-Émilions.
The vineyard sits on the pied de côte south of Saint-Émilion village, with clay-limestone and clay-sand soils that are highly permeable and excellent at retaining heat. This warm terroir allows Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to ripen early and completely, unusual for the Right Bank. The combination of good drainage and heat retention creates ideal conditions for the estate's distinctive 50/50 Merlot-Cabernet blend.
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru represents the pinnacle of Right Bank winemaking, with stricter yield limits and quality requirements than the basic Saint-Émilion appellation. The classification system, unique in Bordeaux, is reviewed every ten years and emphasises both vineyard quality and winemaking excellence. Unlike the Médoc's geological focus on gravel, Saint-Émilion's diverse soils from limestone plateau to sandy slopes create a patchwork of microclimates and wine styles.
The 2017 growing season in Bordeaux reads like a masterclass in how vines adapt to extremes. April frost damaged budbreak across the region, reducing yields significantly, then July and August delivered serious heat that pushed ripening along at pace. The saving grace came with cooler nights and a perfectly timed return to moderate conditions in September, allowing whatever fruit remained to develop proper balance rather than simply racing to sugar.
What emerged was a vintage of surprising concentration—not because the fruit was inherently powerful, but because there was simply less of it to go around. The Cabernets, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, show real intensity without the hard edges that scorching summers often produce, while Merlot varies more dramatically depending on terroir and timing. We find these wines drinking beautifully now, offering immediate pleasure with their forward fruit and supple tannins, though the better examples will happily cruise until 2030. This isn't a vintage for the cellar obsessives, but for those who actually open bottles.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Perfumed and elegant with kirsch, black raspberries, and rose petals, supported by fine-grained tannins and mineral precision rather than power.
When should I drink this wine?
Gorgeous now for its youthful elegance, but will reward patience until the early 2040s as cedar and tobacco complexity develops.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Duck confit, herb-crusted lamb, or grilled cèpe mushrooms - dishes that complement its elegance rather than compete with power.
Should I decant this wine?
Yes, but gently - 30-45 minutes allows the floral aromatics to open without overwhelming the delicate mineral precision.
How is this different from other Saint-Émilions?
The unusual 50/50 Merlot-Cabernet blend creates rare elegance and floral character rather than the typical Right Bank power and richness.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely - whilst approachable now, it will develop cedar, tobacco, and herbal complexity over 15+ years whilst retaining its distinctive rose petal lift.
OUR GROWERS
Château Canon La Gaffelière
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