The 2017 La Gaffeliere is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the nose is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal fragrant scents of kirsch, black raspberries and warm plums plus suggestions of unsmoked cigars, rosehip tea and underbrush. Medium-bodied, the palate has fantastic elegance and sophistication, with tons of bright, perfumed fruit and exquisitely ripe tannins, finishing with bags of freshness and energy. Since the lower-lying sections of La Gaffeliere were affected by frost this year, this wine mainly comes from the section up on the Saint-Émilion plateau, near Ausone. Truly impressive!

Composed of 40% Cabernet Franc and 60% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 La Gaffeliere has pronounced cassis, baked plums and blackberry pie notes with suggestions of lavender, baking spices and rose hip tea. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a firm frame of ripe, fine-grained tannins, an electric intensity of bright black and blue fruits and wonderful freshness, finishing long and minerally. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, erobertparker.com, April 2018

The 2017 La Gaffelière is without question one of the wines of the vintage in Saint- Émilion. Bright, precise and wonderfully lifted, the 2017 is all precision. Exquisite aromatics and lively, red-toned fruit infuse this mid-weight, remarkably pure Saint-Émilion. Spice, blood orange and floral notes add the closing layers of nuance. The 2017 really dazzles. Don't miss it.
Vinous, May 2018

An up-and-coming St Emilion with vines located on the lower slopes of the town and overlooked by the exceptional Ausone estate. Backwards and dense, coiled and brooding. Immediate hit of fresh, sweet fruit, real density of cassis, plum and blackberry fruit. Great precision, ultra fine minerality with beautiful tannins. Spice, peppery notes, black olive, blackcurrant leaf, all great effects from the huge increase in Cabernet Franc. There is so much to admire here and the strides being made to consistently increase quality are impressive. - April 2018

There are some sappy and leafy elements to the nose with a thread of red berries and fresh blueberries. The palate has plush, lithe and juicy appeal with smoothly rendered tannins and juicy, crunchy acidity.

The 2017 La Gaffelière has quite a high toned, floral, crème de cassis and black cherry scented bouquet that feels well defined, although the oak sticks out at the moment and will require several years to be absorbed. The palate is medium-bodied with quite bold tannin, layers of blackberry and black cherry fruit laced with graphite and spices. It feels like a solid La Gaffelière but it needs to manifest more elegance on the finish. However, I appreciate the purity of this Saint-Émilion and its persistence. - vinous.com, May 2018