2023, Château Canon la Gaffelière, SAINT-ÉMILION AOC, Grand Cru

2023 is a blend of 45% cabernet franc, 35% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon. 

Showing al-dente fruit with raspberries, orange peel and other hints of bitter citrus. Medium-bodied with creamy and medium-round tannins leading to a salty finish. Cabernet franc really showing through. May be better than 2022.
96-97 James Suckling.

Intense ruby colour, satiny texture with a reassuring correction of salted cracker to give balance to the exuberant raspberry fruits. Lifts not just on the finish but from the first moments, stretching out with a kick of slate and crushed rocks. Sleek and burnished.
94 Jane Anson

Rich aromatics on the nose, smells deep and dark with violet tones on the nose. Supple and loads of energy straight away, it’s super bright - lively but also quite lean and mineral - a good burst initially but settles quite quickly with chalky tannins that coat the mouth in a fine powdery layer. It has finesse and a really long length filled with mint, bramble herbs, lots of aniseed and liquorice spice.
94 Georgina Hindle, Decanter

The 2023 Canon La Gaffelière is a powerful, dense wine. In recent years Canon La Gaffelière has been on the more perfumed side, but the 2023 moves in a direction of textural intensity. On the other hand, its balance is compelling. Dark red-toned fruit, pomegranate, spice, blood orange, mint and dried herbs open, but only with great reluctance. Tannins are present but also buried by the fruit.
94-97 Antonio Galloni.