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Canon la Gaffelière 2011

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

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Tasting Notes

Probably the flagship estate of visionary Stephan von Neipperg, the 2011 Canon La Gaffeliere is less exotic and open-knit than usual, but it exhibits beautiful notes of black currants, licorice, camphor and forest floor. A burgeoning complexity as well as medium to full body and well-integrated wood are found in this pure beauty. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.

91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (212), April 2014

This is very refined and pretty for the vintage with plum, berry and light chocolate character. It's almost Burgundian in texture and weight. Shows the finesse of the cabernet franc in the blend. Very fine indeed. Try in 2017.

92
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2014

Stephan von Neipperg's wine rarely disappoints, even in more difficult vintages, and this is no exception. Fresh and fragrant with notes of cedarwood and tobacco, lively acidity and fine tannins. A wine that is beautifully framed and understated, yet should age well if past vintages are a guide. 8+ years.

93
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2012

A truly elegant offering this year. A little more understated than some vintages but lots of zesty fruit, with silky tannins and texture. Length on the finish. Drink 2018-2030

17.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2012
Read more tasting notes...

From the flagship estate of visionary Stephan von Neipperg, I noticed some sample variations on the four occasions I had this wine. Cropped at 33 hectoliters per hectare with a final blend of 60% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is generally a fruit-forward style of wine with an exotic, perfumed personality. The 2011 reveals a soft, sexy style with lots of Christmas fruitcake notes intermixed with cedarwood, spice box, black currants and kirsch. Fleshy and fat with impressive purity, texture and length, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-14 years.

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (200), April 2012

Cropped between 15th and 30th September at 30hl/ha, the Canon-la-Gaffeliere has a surprisingly closed bouquet compared to the Clos de l'Oratoire with faint red berry and fish scale aromas. The palate is more in the mould of Canon-la-Gaffeliere with plush tannins and velvety mouthfeel, although it is missing some weight at the back end at the moment. Perhaps this will be filled is during maturation? We will see. Tasted April 2012.

89/91
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2012

Racy and fine with a lovely pure fruit. The Cabernet Franc in this is really coming through. Minerally and fine. Pretty wine. 60% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon.

90/91
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2012
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.