Clos La Gaffeliere 2020 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 《F926B》

Having settled in Saint-Émilion in 1705, the Malet Roquefort family of Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort has a history in Bordeaux spanning more than three centuries. A record of vines being planted on this land in Gallo-Roman times shows an even longer history of viticulture, and was confirmed in 1969 by Comte Léo de Malet Roquefort who discovered ruins of the Gallo-Roman Villa du Palat with mosaics depicting vines plantings. Château La Gaffelière, which gained status in 1954 as a Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, is the original estate of the Malet Roquefort family. In 2001, the family united three estates, Château La Gaffelière, Château Chapelle d’Aliénor, and Château Armens, under a single brand: Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort. Later, in 2008 Château La Connivence also joined the Domaines.

Today, the Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort estates include: Château La Gaffelière, Château Chapelle d’Aliénor, Château Armens, and Château La Connivence. Founded on the four guiding principles of excellence, elegance, authenticity, and independence, the Malet Roqueforts have passed on their traditions, generation after generation, and today Alexandre de Malet Roquefort is at the helm of Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort. Like his ancestors, he shares a passion for wine and for the Saint-Émilion terroir which they call home.

Marked by its historic fortified village—perhaps the prettiest in all of Bordeaux, the St-Émilion appellation, along with its neighboring village of Pomerol, are leaders in quality on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. These Merlot-dominant red wines (complemented by various amounts of Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon) remain some of the most admired and collected wines of the world.

St-Émilion has the longest history in wine production in Bordeaux—longer than the Left Bank—dating back to an 8th century monk named Saint Émilion who became a hermit in one of the many limestone caves scattered throughout the area.

Today St-Émilion is made up of hundreds of independent farmers dedicated to the same thing: growing Merlot and Cabernet Franc (and tiny amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon). While always roughly the same blend, the wines of St-Émilion vary considerably depending on the soil upon which they are grown—and the soils do vary considerably throughout the region.

The chateaux with the highest classification (Premier Grand Cru Classés) are on gravel-rich soils or steep, clay-limestone hillsides. There are only four given the highest rank, called Premier Grand Cru Classés A (Chateau Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Angélus, Pavie) and 14 are Premier Grand Cru Classés B. Much of the rest of the vineyards in the appellation are on flatter land where the soils are a mix of gravel, sand and alluvial matter.

The second label made by the team of château La Gaffelière.

Born in 1985, Clos La Gaffelière has his own vat room and cellars.

Ageing is done, in large part, in one and two years old barrels

The blend is usually a large majority of Merlot ( up to 90%) and the rest of Cabernet Franc

90% from our clayey foothills ,this wine made by the team of Château La Gaffelière, it is vinified and aged with just as much care as the lots making up the first wine.An authentic, pleasure-giving and easy drinking wine.

Tasting Note

🏅 James Suckling 92 pts

This is dark fruited with chocolate, crushed walnuts, black licorice and cedar wood. Medium-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Tight and toned with a polished finish and notes of crushed stones and nut shell at the end. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. Excellent for a second wine. 

🏅 Vinous 91-93 pts

The 2020 Clos La Gaffelière is a super attractive second wine. It is a bit darker and more overt than the Grand Vin, both of which lend quite a bit of immediacy. Black cherry, plum, spice, chocolate and leather build nicely in the glass. This supple, juicy Saint-Émilion will drink well right out of the gate.

🏅 Decanter 91 pts

Bright plum, cranberry and cherry fruit, some easy-to-love freshness. Unfussy and appealing with a limestone kick and chalky finish. Second wine of Château la Gaffelière, made since 1985. Has its own separate wine cellar, with grapes that come from specific plots.