Right Bank Bordeaux | Charming, Polished, and Remarkably Approachable
Region: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France
Grape Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Producer: Château La Gaffelière
Style: Silky, fruit-driven, elegant, and immediately enjoyable
Nose:
Inviting and expressive, opening with aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, black cherry, plum, violets, cracked pepper, bouquet garni, and subtle earthy notes. As the wine evolves in the glass, hints of cedar, spice, and forest floor add complexity and charm.
Palate:
Medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced, revealing flavours of ripe red berries, black cherry, raspberry compote, plum, and gentle spice. The palate is fresh and vibrant, combining youthful fruit with the finesse and elegance that define great Saint-Émilion.
Structure:
Silky tannins, bright acidity, and excellent balance create a wine that is both approachable and refined. Produced from the younger vines of Château La Gaffelière, one of Saint-Émilion's historic estates, Clos La Gaffelière receives the same meticulous attention in the vineyard and cellar as the Grand Vin, including approximately 12 months of barrel ageing.
Finish:
Fresh, polished, and persistent, lingering with notes of red berries, herbs, spice, and subtle minerality. Elegant and highly drinkable.
Clos La Gaffelière 2019 is the second wine of the prestigious Château La Gaffelière, one of Saint-Émilion's most historic family-owned estates. Produced primarily from younger vines, it offers a more accessible and approachable expression of the estate while retaining the character, elegance, and terroir that have made La Gaffelière one of the benchmark names of the Right Bank.
The 2019 Bordeaux vintage is widely regarded as outstanding, delivering wines of concentration, freshness, and exceptional balance. In Clos La Gaffelière, the vintage produced a wine that combines generous Merlot fruit with freshness, silky tannins, and immediate charm. It is a superb introduction to the style of La Gaffelière and offers remarkable value for Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.
The 2019 Bordeaux vintage benefited from warm, dry conditions balanced by cooler nights, allowing grapes to achieve excellent ripeness while preserving freshness and aromatic precision. The result is a vintage celebrated for its harmony, concentration, and ageing potential across both banks of Bordeaux.
Now: Beautifully expressive with 30–60 minutes decanting
Peak: 2024–2035
Cellaring: Excellent medium-term ageing potential.
Clos La Gaffelière 2019 captures the generosity of the outstanding 2019 vintage in a style that is approachable, polished, and unmistakably Saint-Émilion—offering silky Merlot fruit, freshness, and elegance from one of the appellation's most respected estates.
