Bordeaux Canon la Gaffelière 6 bouteilles 2019

The Estate

Château Canon La Gaffelière — Premier Grand Cru Classé Excellence

Perched on the southern slope of Saint-Émilion overlooking the Dordogne valley, Château Canon La Gaffelière has been in the hands of the von Neipperg family since 1971, transforming from a respected estate into one of the Right Bank’s most acclaimed properties. Under the stewardship of Stephan von Neipperg until his passing in 2021, the château earned its Premier Grand Cru Classé (B) status in the 2012 Saint-Émilion classification through relentless attention to detail, low yields, and a philosophy of perfectionism that permeates every vintage.

The 19.5-hectare vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir at the foot of the Saint-Émilion côtes, where limestone plateau meets clay-limestone slopes, producing wines of remarkable depth, elegance, and ageing potential. This offering of six bottles of the 2019 vintage represents an ideal entry point for collectors seeking to cellar one of Saint-Émilion’s most consistently outstanding estates.

This Lot

Available as 6 bottles case — ideal for collectors and long-term cellaring.

Terroir & Grapes

Limestone Slopes and Ancient Vines

The vineyard’s privileged position on the south-facing slopes of Saint-Émilion provides optimal sun exposure and natural drainage, with soils ranging from clay-limestone on the slopes to sandy-gravel at the base near the Dordogne. This geological diversity allows Canon La Gaffelière to express both power and finesse, with the Merlot gaining richness from the clay while Cabernet Franc contributes mineral precision from the limestone bedrock.

The estate practices biodynamic viticulture, with old vines averaging over 50 years of age contributing exceptional concentration and complexity. Yields are kept deliberately low through green harvesting and meticulous canopy management, ensuring only perfectly ripe grapes reach the cellar.

Vinification & Ageing

Precision Winemaking in the Modern Cellar

Following hand-harvesting in small crates, grapes are sorted twice before gravity-fed into temperature-controlled concrete and stainless steel vats, where fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts. Each parcel is vinified separately to preserve its unique character, with gentle extraction through pigeage and remontage tailored to the specific needs of each tank. The estate’s non-interventionist approach allows the terroir to express itself with clarity and purity.

Élevage takes place over 18 months in French oak barrels, with 60-70% new oak carefully integrated to enhance rather than dominate the wine’s natural elegance. The wine is aged in Canon La Gaffelière’s magnificent vaulted cellars, where constant temperature and humidity create ideal conditions for maturation. Bottling occurs without fining or filtration to preserve the wine’s complete aromatic and textural complexity.

Vintage Character

2019 — A Classical Right Bank Triumph

The 2019 vintage in Saint-Émilion is celebrated as a classical year that rivals the legendary 2010, combining power with remarkable freshness and precision. A warm, dry summer with timely August rains preserved acidity and aromatic intensity, while an extended harvest period from late September into October allowed for perfect phenolic ripeness. Merlot, the dominant grape of the Right Bank, achieved exceptional concentration and velvety tannins, while Cabernet Franc contributed vibrant structure and mineral lift.

Canon La Gaffelière’s 2019 captures everything magnificent about this vintage: depth without heaviness, richness balanced by precision, and an architectural structure that promises decades of graceful evolution. This is a wine that perfectly expresses both its terroir and its epoch, destined to become one of the estate’s legendary vintages.

Tasting Notes

Opulent Yet Refined

The 2019 Canon La Gaffelière opens with an intoxicating bouquet of blackberry, cassis, and crushed violets, layered with notes of graphite, tobacco leaf, and subtle cedar from its élevage. On the palate, the wine reveals exceptional density and concentration, with a core of dark, ripe fruit framed by silky, fine-grained tannins that coat the mouth without any hint of harshness. There is a wonderful tension between richness and elegance, with bright acidity lifting the mid-palate and carrying flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, and mineral salinity through a remarkably long, pure finish. This is Saint-Émilion of the highest order: powerful yet graceful, complex yet precise, showing both immediate appeal and the structural backbone to reward patient cellaring for three decades or more.

Critics’ Scores

International Acclaim

The 2019 vintage has received outstanding reviews across the international wine press, with critics praising its exceptional balance, concentration, and ageing potential. This consensus confirms Canon La Gaffelière’s position among Saint-Émilion’s elite producers and underscores the 2019’s status as a modern classic vintage.

Service & Pairing

Serving Recommendations