Château Canon-la-Gaffelière is owned by Comte von Neipperg. Located in the centre of the St.Emilion appellation, due south of St.Emilion town, the property has a similar climate to that enjoyed by both St.Emilion and Pomerol: more continental than the maritime Médoc, with generally more spring rainfall, though less in summer and winter. It is classified as a Grand Cru Classé.

The move to sustainable farming was one of the first major changes Stephan von Neipperg made when he began to manage the estate. The soil is regularly plowed, which helps aeration. To avoid blending both layers of topsoil, only light plowing takes place. The vineyards of Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere are farmed using 100% organic methods since 2014 vintage.

Terroir – 19.5 hectares of vineyards lie at the base of the`Côtes’, on relatively flat, sandy-gravel topsoil and sandy-clay subsoil.

Blend – Merlot 55%, Cabernet Franc 35%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%

Winemaking – traditional: up to 4 weeks in temperature-controlled-wooden vats

Ageing – up to 18 months’ maturation in oak barrels, 60% new.

The 2016 Canon La Gaffelière is just as striking from bottle as it was from barrel. Bright, intensely aromatic and precise, the 2016 has it all. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and rose petal all race through this silky, super-expressive Saint-Émilion.

James Suckling – 96 points

The aromas are very complex with sweet tobacco, black truffles, blueberries and blackberries. Subtle. Menthol, too. Full-bodied yet so elegant. Structure with finesse and purity. The tannins are melted in the wine. Fabulous young wine. Try tasting it from 2023.

Vinous – 96 points

The 2016 Canon La Gaffelière is just as striking from bottle as it was from barrel. Bright, intensely aromatic and precise, the 2016 has it all. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and rose petal all race through this silky, super-expressive Saint-Émilion. In 2016, Canon La Gaffelière is especially polished, refined and nuanced, which means also less overly powerful than in the past. It was compelling both times I tasted it from bottle.

Jeb Dunnuck – 95 points

One of the most elegant and seamless wines in the vintage is the 2016 Canon-la-Gaffelière, a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in 60% new French oak. This medium to full-bodied beauty has brilliant minerality as well as tons of cassis fruits, notions of spice box, cedarwood, licorice, and dried earth, silky tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It shows the purity and elegance of the vintage to a T. Drink this fabulous Saint-Emilion any time over the coming 20+ years.

Wine Enthusiast – 95 points

Bold tannins, rich fruit and good acidity combine in a wine that is powerful while always fresh. With acidity and stylish black-currant flavors, the wine’s fruitiness comes through the tannins, finishing with a juicy, perfumed aftertaste. Drink from 2025. *Cellar Selection*

Wine Spectator – 95 points

This delivers a very fresh, juicy ball of red and black currant preserve flavors laced liberally with bramble, roasted apple wood and sweet tobacco notes. Shows terrific purity, energy and drive, with a piercing echo of minerality through the mouthwatering finish.

Wine Advocate – 93-95 points

The 2016 Canon la Gaffeliere is a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (vines organically certified) picked from 26 September to 15 October and matured in 60% new oak. The yield is 42 hectoliters per hectare. This offers one of the most cerebral aromatics that I have encountered from this Saint Emilion estate: mineral-rich red and black fruit, quite edgy, almost flinty in style. I adore the focus of these aromas that are wired directly into the olfactory senses. The palate is very well balanced and governed by the Cabernet component. The black fruit is lifted by some lovely graphite notes that lend it a very Left Bank-like personality. It is fresh, taut and linear with a very persistent finish. Unlike other vintages of Canon la Gaffelière, I feel that this will require four to five years in bottle. As good as the 2015 last year, it might even surpass it.