One of the oldest family-owned vineyards in St.-Emilion, La Gaffeliere has been owned by the same family since the 1400s. The 2011 performed slightly differently in multiple tastings, but overall, it appears to be an outstanding, elegant, restrained, somewhat austere, but impressively built wine. The final blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc produced nearly 5,000 cases from their 42+ acre vineyard. The wine exhibits lots of earthy, balsam, resiny notes interwoven with red and black currants, cedar and underbrush. This elegant, dense, medium to full-bodied St.-Emilion should drink nicely for 15-20 years.

Rather ripe, flashy style, with a slightly gushy feel to the blackberry, plum and black cherry flavors, which are mashed together. Lots of perfumy mocha on the finish. A little more sizzle than steak in the end though. Score range: 88-91 –JM

Toasty dark fruit. Then more savoury on the palate. Elegant dry tannins, there's refinement here without any attempt to crowd-please. Lithe and dark and long and savoury. (JH)

EN PRIMEUR - Deep crimson. The nose opens up to vanilla-infused notes with red fruit in the background. Fleshy, polished and fruit-forward attack framed by heat. A harmonious, silky wine in a powerful, well-integrated style. Harmonious across the palate.