Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni 97-99
The 2025 La Gaffeliere soars out of the glass with magnificent intensity. Strong Cabernet Franc overtones and bright saline notes from the clay-limestone plateau are finely sketched with tremendous precision. The 2025 bristles with tension from start to finish. It’s a phenomenal wine by any measure. Tasted two times.
Anticipated maturity: 2035-2065
Neal Martin 95-97
The 2025 La Gaffeliere undergoes malo in barrel and matures in 50% new oak barrels and the remainder in one-year oak, 12% in demi-muids and 4% amphorae. It continues a strong run of form for this rejuvenated Saint-Emilion, with quite ebullient raspberry and wild strawberry scents, a dash of black pepper and brown spices, the Cabernet Franc shaping the aromatics and giving it a Pomerol-like personality. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, impressive weight, quite peppery and tensile; this maintains density and grip through to the long finish. This is a great wine that has great personality and charm.
Anticipated maturity: 2032-2055
Jane Anson 96
Thoroughly enjoyable, iris, juicy bilberry, loganberry, blackcurrant, rich, juicy and measured, has the fingerprint of limestone without being sharp. Clearly will age well, already totally delicious. 3.42 pH. Harvest September 12 to 22. 50% new oak.
Anticipated maturity: 2028-2040
Jeb Dunnuck 96-98+
A brilliant chateau that has been producing truly exceptional wines over the last decade or more, the 2025 Chateau La Gaffeliere sports a deep purple hue and a gorgeous perfume of black and blue fruits, minty herbs, graphite, and chocolate, as well as perfectly integrated background oak. On the palate, it’s ripe, full-bodied, and concentrated, with a deep, layered style that brings the purity as well as the freshness that’s the hallmark of the vintage. It’s going to check in near the top of this notable vintage.
