The 2018 Canon La Gaffelière is extraordinary. Fresh, vibrant and bursting at the seams with energy, the 2018 takes full advantage of all the work Stephan von Neipperg and his team have implemented at their properties. Expressive floral and savory notes add myriad shades of nuance to a dark, sumptuous Saint-Émilion that melds together aromatic intensity and fruit richness. Even with all of its intensity, the 2018 retains an element of translucence that is beguiling. The blend is 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is to say a bit more Cabernet than in the past. Tasted two times. - Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, May 2019

One of the most elegant and classy wines in the vintage is the 2018 Canon-La-Gaffelière, which is based on 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in equal parts new and used barrels. This deep ruby/purple-colored effort offers a complex bouquet of kirsch, blueberries, licorice, orange blossom, and spring flowers. It’s medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and focused on the palate, with building tannins that stay polished and sweet, and give plenty of length and cut on the finish. This beautiful Saint-Émilion offers both hedonistic and intellectual pleasure and will drink nicely for 25+ years. - jebdunnuck.com, May 2019

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Canon la Gaffeliere has a fantastically exuberant nose of preserved plums, blueberry compote and black cherry pie with hints of menthol, mocha, Sichuan pepper and garrigue plus wafts of lavender and tilled soil. Full-bodied, concentrated and wonderfully decadent, it has a firm yet plush texture and just enough freshness in the background, finishing long with a menthol lift.
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, April 2019, The Wine Advocate

A lovely, fruity and juicy red with mineral and dried-tea character. Full and tightly structured with a long and flavorful finish. Tight at the moment, but shows momentum and depth. - jamessuckling.com, April 2019

Spiced and fragrant with lack cherry and plum with clove and wet stone. Great power on the palate with purity of red fruit, blood orange freshness and spice. Persistent. Significant. An excellent CLG. - April 2019

Sweet, toasty oak but the black fruit is lightly perfumed and minty. A bit flat on the mid palate, flattened by the tannins, though there is a cool refinement that somehow emerges on the finish. A bit of a conundrum for now. But the sweet blackcurrant comes back on the finish. More finesse to the tannins that in the Clos de l'Oratoire tasted at the same address. - Julia Harding, jancisrobinson.com, April 2019