The 2019 Canon la Gaffelière has turned out brilliantly, bursting from the glass with a dramatic bouquet of wild berries, blood orange, exotic spices, rose petals, violets and burning embers. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it's supple and perfumed, with a deep core of lively fruit, melting tannins and a long, saline finish. This contains the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc of any of Stephan Von Neipperg's wines, which no doubt helps to account for its singular personality.

The 2019 Canon La Gaffelière is a nervous, tightly wound wine. Then again, we are talking about a Cabernet Franc-driven Saint-Émilion. Sweet red berries, mint, blood orange and spice pulse with tremendous energy. Aromatically expressive and deep, Canon La Gaffelière builds effortlessly over time, leading to a bright, saline and mineral-drenched finish that is a thing of beauty. The 2019 shows much better from a full bottle (as opposed to a half), with silky tannins that emerge with a touch of aeration. I won't be surprised if the 2019 is even better from bottle than this note suggests.

The 2019 Canon La Gaffelière was picked from 19 September to 7 October at 51hl/ha and sees 60% new oak. It has a very focused bouquet, tight at first and benefitting from an hour's aeration. Eventually it reveals glorious red berry scents mixed with cedar, loamy soil and a pinch of cracked black pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh with a return of that black pepper note right on the finish. Excellent.

Tasted blind. Sweet, exotic, black-fruited nose. Heady and extremely floral. Very distinctive! Candied rose petals. Rather nice! But not that intense. Rich and smooth. Long. (JR)

49% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barrel sample. Juicy, fresh and balanced. Pretty, floral aromatics with a burgundian nuance. Fine, long tannins provide persistence. Harmonious, digeste and perfectly etched. On a par with the best from this estate. (JL)

49% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Organic certified by FR-BIO-10. Deep garnet with some development at the rim. Notable mature aromas of cedary undergrowth and a slightly leathery texture. But the development shows fruit and tannins remaining in harmony. Smooth, compact, fresh on the long finish. (JH)