Critics reviews
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 30/04/2015
About this WINE
Château Canon-la-Gaffeliere
Château Canon-la-Gaffelière is owned by Comte von Neipperg. Located in the centre of the St.Emilion appellation, due south of St.Emilion town, the property has a similar climate to that enjoyed by both St.Emilion and Pomerol: more continental than the maritime Médoc, with generally more spring rainfall, though less in summer and winter.
Canon-la-Gaffelière's 19.5 hectares of vineyards (Merlot 55%, Cabernet Franc 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%) lie at the base of the`Côtes', on relatively flat, sandy-gravel topsoil and sandy-clay subsoil.
Vinification at Canon-la-Gaffelière is traditional: up to 4 weeks in temperature-controlled-wooden vats followed by up to 18 months' maturation in oak barrels, 50% new. It is classified as a Grand Cru Classé.
Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon lends itself particularly well in blends with Merlot. This is actually the archetypal Bordeaux blend, though in different proportions in the sub-regions and sometimes topped up with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
In the Médoc and Graves the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend can range from 95% (Mouton-Rothschild) to as low as 40%. It is particularly suited to the dry, warm, free- draining, gravel-rich soils and is responsible for the redolent cassis characteristics as well as the depth of colour, tannic structure and pronounced acidity of Médoc wines. However 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be slightly hollow-tasting in the middle palate and Merlot with its generous, fleshy fruit flavours acts as a perfect foil by filling in this cavity.
In St-Emilion and Pomerol, the blends are Merlot dominated as Cabernet Sauvignon can struggle to ripen there - when it is included, it adds structure and body to the wine. Sassicaia is the most famous Bordeaux blend in Italy and has spawned many imitations, whereby the blend is now firmly established in the New World and particularly in California and Australia.
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Description
Proprietor Comtes von Neipperg has done an incredible job with this estate, turning things around from a vegetal, diluted and undernourished wine in the 1970s and 1980s to something that has gotten stronger and strong ever since 1988. The dense ruby/purple 2012 offers pure blackcurrant and black cherry fruit along with some notes of Christmas spices and earth. It is full-bodied and opulent, with light tannins in the finish. This is a beauty of impeccable balance, great purity and texture. Kudos to von Neipperg, who rarely ever seems to make a mistake. Anticipated maturity: now-2030. The final blend tips the scales at 13.5% from an equal-part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 30/04/2015
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