Château Canon La Gaffelière Saint-Émilion 2021 is an elegant and expressive Right Bank Bordeaux, distinguished by its vibrant Cabernet Franc character and refined texture. Awarded 95 points by critics, this organic-certified vintage opens with captivating aromas of rose petals, lilac, black cherry, raspberry, lavender and warm spice. The medium-bodied palate is fresh, seamless and beautifully precise, with fine-grained tannins, lively acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. A blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a sophisticated Saint-Émilion with excellent freshness and ageing potential through the 2040s.

The Wine Advocate | RP 93-95
Published: Apr 29, 2022

The 2021 Canon la Gaffeliere is beautiful, bursting from the glass with aromas of rose petals, lilac, sweet berry fruit, burning embers and warm spices. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and elegant, with a fleshy core of fruit, lively acids and beautifully refined tannins, it'sthe highlight of the von Neipperg portfolio this year. Cabernet Franc, as usual, takes the lead.

James Suckling | JS 95
Published: Apr 2, 2024

Extremely perfumed with enticing cabernet franc aromas of black cherries and lavender. Some sandalwood. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins that are polished and beautiful, this wine has lovely length and freshness. 45% cabernet franc, 35% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon. Enjoyable now, but better in two or three years.

Decanter | D 95
Published: Apr 1, 2022
Drink: 2025-2045

This has a gorgeous herbal-fruity nose, scented, fresh and lively with raspberry leaf. Impactful on the palate straight away - the fine-grained tannins hit the mouth and expand slowly alongside the liquorice spice and dark berry fruit with violet aromas. It's direct and linear at the moment, taut, and driven in one line. You feel it's coiled up ready to spring with strawberry fruit and the Cabernet aspects coming through. It's delicately textured, the mouthfeel is light and bouncy while the flavours slowly expand vertically. Touches of sweetness, bitterness and minerality appear adding interest from start to finish. I love the clarity you get. Impactful and full of complexity. Will be lovely to taste this in bottle. 5% more Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon than usual as some Merlot was lost to frost and mildew. A production of 98% grand vin.

Jancis Robinson | JR 16
Published: Oct 8, 2024
Drink: 2024-2032

35% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Certified organic (FR-BIO-10).
Slightly muddy, concentrated garnet. Lifted and a little toasty. Sweet start and without real structure – as though they have been desperately fighting the elevated acid level? Loose-textured and ready to drink! Jancis Robinson