The 2010's final blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc offers up impressive levels of red, blue and black fruits as well as some toasty oak and crushed rock, giving it minerality. Of course, the acidity in this vintage, with its lower pHs than 2009, provide a freshness and precision that is rare for wines so rich. This wine has plenty of tannin, so give it 4-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years. Drink: 2017 - 2047

This is a great wine from Comte Leo de Malet Roquefort’s estate, which has been owned by his family since the 1400s. Normally this estate tends to produce a relatively finesse-styled St.-Emilion, and the 2010 still leans in that direction, but it has more fat, muscle and sinew than in most vintages. The choice of Stephane Derenoncourt to manage the vineyard seems to have resulted in much lower yields, and ultimately a wine with much more richness and persistence on the palate.
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #205 Feb 2013

(91-93 pts)
2010: A lot of history follows La Gaffeliere, which is owned by Leo de Malet Roquefort, whose family has been in the St.-Emilion area since the 1400s. The quality at this estate has soared dramatically over the last decade. The 2010, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, is very dense purple, with notes of graphite, charcoal and subtle smoke as well as blueberry and blackberry liqueur. The tell-tale elegance that is always a hallmark of this estate is well-presented in this fresh, lively wine, which is full, rich and intense yet at the same time exhibits loads of minerality and good acidity. This wine will probably shut down after bottling and drink well for 25-30+ years.

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 La Gaffeliere is quite closed to begin, slowly unfurling to give scents of baked raspberries, kirsch, dried mulberries and plum pudding plus nuances of pencil shavings and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate layers in the savory and earthy flavors with a firm frame of chewy tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing with an herbal lift.

(an 85/15 blend of merlot and cabernet franc): Good deep ruby-red. Sexy aromas reminded me a bit of Burgundy: black raspberry, spices, graphite minerality, flowers and chocolate. Then penetrating and very firmly built, with a distinctly medicinal cast to its smoky black fruit and tobacco flavors and a strong spine of acidity. Very intense and fine-grained Saint-Emilion, but lush and seamless too. This chateau has produced consistently excellent wines in recent vintages and this should be the best of the bunch with six to eight years in the cellar.

Tasty and juicy, with a lovely blackberry and chocolate character. Round and velvety. Shows a lovely richness.

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The La Gaffeliere 2010 has a precise nose, tightly wound and needs to show a little more expression. It begins to unfold in the glass, offering blackberry, quince and black olive aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline, quite spicy entry. It is fleshy in the mouth, hints of leather complementing the dark berry fruit with hints of tobacco on the finish. This has improved since its barrel showing. Tasted November 2012.

(88-90 pts)
This has a very high-toned bouquet with strong liquorice and peppermint scents...like walking into a confectionary shop. The palate is very tannic with dense toasty black fruit, a touch of hardness on the entry, sweet with hints of coconut on the finish. Pleasurable but lacking a sense of terroir at the moment. Tasted April 2011.

Ripe and rounded, with a velvety feel to the blackberry, blueberry and raspberry fruit. Shows nice range, with a suave finish. —J.M.

Bright ruby-red with a violet tinge. Minty aromas of red cherry, raspberry and violet. Sweet and nicely balanced wine, with flavors similar to the aromas and a persistence to the floral element. The very smooth tannins and creamy texture make this wine hard to resist even now.

Tasted blind. Deep garnet but not as dark as some. Fragrant, spicy, a touch floral and a bit bloody, too. Rather seductive. Fine, silky and with lovely freshness and tension. (JH)