2023 Chateau La Gaffeliere Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Reminding me of the 2019 with its modern yet ultra-classic style, the 2023 Château Lafite-Rothschild sports a gorgeous perfume of cassis, freshly sharpened lead pencil, tobacco, and loamy earth that gives it an utterly classic Pauillac profile and style. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has good concentration, ripe, polished tannins, flawless balance, and so much charm and accessibility. Based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, drink this gorgeous Lafite over the coming 40-50 years. Drink 2026-2076.

A deep nose, floral, so perfumed, lots of ripe black bramble fruit. Concentrated and so full, there’s density on the palate, there’s so much ripe red fruit that fills the mouth with a soft grip to the tannins that support the fruit but doesn't overwhelm. This feels instantly classy, layered and complex with a gentle confidence. It’s round and slightly fleshy, although feels sculpted and muscular with volume, a lovely juiciness and a touch of dark chocolate, cedar and liquorice on the finish. Sophisticated.

The 2023 La Gaffelière is very pure and floral on the nose with black cherries intermingling with violet and iris flower scents. The new oak is neatly integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and layers of lightly spiced black fruit. Cedar and graphite furnish the poised but persistent finish. This is another in a succession of impressive wines from this estate that just oozes sensuality. Superb.

The center-palate reflects excellent terroir, with blackberry, black-olive and walnut aromas and flavors. Tight center-palate with firm but creamy tannins and a flavorful, classy finish.

The 2023 La Gaffelière is a dense powerful wine. As has been the case since 2018 La Gaffelière has a strong Franc component—40% in 2023. Usually the aromatics are quite lifted but this wine is rather dense. Nothing in particular stands out as all the elements are impeccably balanced. This will need time to be at its best but it shows promise. The introduction of 500-liter barrels and a reduction of new oak closes the wine a bit but there's a ton of raw energy here and a good bit of tannin too. 2030 - 2048

58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Elegant and floral. Terroir-driven on the palate. Tight and firmly structured. A touch reticent and austere at the moment but clear potential. Worth waiting. (JL)