Chateau La Gaffeliere has withdrawn from the 2022 Saint-Emilion classification. The estate now owns totally 35 hectares vineyards at the hillsides, 22 hectares of which are used for the grand vin. 60% of the vineyards were constantly replanted since 2000 so as to remove Cabernet Sauvignon while introduce more Cabernet Franc (also due to the clonal selection trials). The grapes are hand-picked; 10% whole bunches; the vinification takes place in 13 different stainless steel vats for the 13 plots; pumping over and punching down; partial (25%) MLF in the 60% new French oak barrels where the 14 months' maturation carries out. A vertical tasting with the sales director Thomas Soubes.

Chateau Armens 2019 was sweetly earthy and spicy. Chateau Puyblanquet 2020 was somewhat restrained on the elegant nose that was made up of sweet earth, red fruits (raspberry, cranberry), yellow peach, scrub, sweet spices (cinnamon, red liquorice), sushi ginger, white chocolate and stone. Very delicate on the mid-palate with exciting acid to offset the roundness on finish. Today, Chateau La Gaffeliere is arguably among the top 5 producers of the region in terms of its quality. Chateau La Gaffeliere 2016 was sweetly earthy and spicy on the reticent sniff with a tint of florality. Lucid on both nose and palate. Exciting acid filled the finish that showed loads of raspberry-like red fruits. Half bottle of Chateau La Gaffeliere 2017 was restrained on the nose of earth, yellow peach, scrub and spices. Very detailed on the palate with evident juiciness. 58% Merlot and the rest is Cabernet Franc, Chateau La Gaffeliere 2018 was more opulent than Chateau La Gaffeliere 2019 and Chateau La Gaffeliere 2020. This sexy beauty was very expressive and endearing (unexpectedly wasn't the style of Chateau La Gaffeliere 2019) on the sniff that was suffused with…(for all the details, please subscribe)…toward the acidic and detailed while tense finale where the cornerstone was the forceful yet elegant tannin that would propel it forward for 30 years and more. The blend of Chateau La Gaffeliere 2019 is same to Chateau La Gaffeliere 2020. As crystalline as Chateau La Gaffeliere 2020, whereas more austere in style. The performance of this half bottle was restrained at the beginning, but slowly opening up after 45 minutes' aeration. Graceful and delicate on the aroma that was dominated by…(for all the details, please subscribe)…enlarged the freshness and succulence. It would take around 15 years to fully settle and would drink beautifully for a few decades. Chateau La Gaffeliere 2020 contains 60% Merlot and the rest is Cabernet Franc. Half bottle. A tint of volatile acid faded after swirling the glass. I was almost speechless when I put my nose into the cup, a mass of sweet violet-like florality emerged immediately, alongside with…(for all the details, please subscribe)…amplified the quintessential exquisiteness and ethereality that typified the style of La Gaffeliere, with subtle salinity that added the refreshment to the compact finish that could last for few minutes. A 'wow' wine with incredible longevity--it's undoubtedly the champion of the lineup when I was doing a vertical tasting in the winery and a candidate for 'wine of the year'.