Chuck Hayward, JJ Buckley, April 2011

Potentially 90% merlot, 10% cabernet franc. Located just south of the village, this is one of the oldest family-owned vineyards in Saint Emilion, if not all of Bordeaux. The soils are a mix of clay and limestone and yields were 40 hls/ha. Aged in 50% new, 50% one-wine-old barrels. Compact on the nose and not showing much at this stage, the palate shows a similar profile, since the mid-palate and finish are reigned in thanks to fresh acidity and firm, spicy tannins. The flavors hint at sweetness and a ripe, creamy texture, as pepper and spice notes waft in and out. Best between 2015-2022. Stéphane Derenoncourt consults.

92 -93 points,

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, April 2011

Tasty and juicy, with a lovely blackberry and chocolate character. Round and velvety. Shows a lovely richness.

Jancis Robinson, April 2011

Very dark crimson. Very savoury nose. Thick and sweet and hugely ambitious! Lovely texture that recalls something like a Troplong Mondot. Lots of polish and pzazz. So smooth it could be drunk now without food, though it's not excessively sweet. Overall dry, long finish with lots of pleasure. 17 out of 20

93 -95 points,

Jeff Leve, TheWineCellarInsider.com, April 2011

From an assemblage of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with its deep ruby color, licorice, smoke, jammy dark berry and coffee aromas is a treat. Rich, polished, tannic, black and red fruits are found in the finish.

89 points,

Neal Martin's Wine Journal, November 2012

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The La Gaffeliere 2010 has a precise nose, tightly wound and needs to show a little more expression. It begins to unfold in the glass, offering blackberry, quince and black olive aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline, quite spicy entry. It is fleshy in the mouth, hints of leather complementing the dark berry fruit with hints of tobacco on the finish. This has improved since its barrel showing. 89+

91 -93 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May 2011

2010: A lot of history follows La Gaffeliere, which is owned by Leo de Malet Roquefort, whose family has been in the St.-Emilion area since the 1400s. The quality at this estate has soared dramatically over the last decade. The 2010, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, is very dense purple, with notes of graphite, charcoal and subtle smoke as well as blueberry and blackberry liqueur. The tell-tale elegance that is always a hallmark of this estate is well-presented in this fresh, lively wine, which is full, rich and intense yet at the same time exhibits loads of minerality and good acidity. This wine will probably shut down after bottling and drink well for 25-30+ years.

95 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, March 2013

The 2010's final blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc offers up impressive levels of red, blue and black fruits as well as some toasty oak and crushed rock, giving it minerality. Of course, the acidity in this vintage, with its lower pHs than 2009, provide a freshness and precision that is rare for wines so rich. This wine has plenty of tannin, so give it 4-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years. This is a great wine from Comte Leo de Malet Roquefort's estate, which has been owned by his family since the 1400s. Normally this estate tends to produce a relatively finesse-styled St.-Emilion, and the 2010 still leans in that direction, but it has more fat, muscle and sinew than in most vintages. The choice of Stephane Derenoncourt to manage the vineyard seems to have resulted in much lower yields, and ultimately a wine with much more richness and persistence on the palate. 95+ points. --Robert Parker

95 points,

Wine Enthusiast, May 2013

A big, bold, ripe wine with firm tannins and dark, solid fruits. The wine has acidity coming from the black currant flavors. Continuing the impressive quality of wines from La Gaffelière, it has weight and a rich feel to it, along with a tight, mineral final texture. This is a wine that is elegant as well as powerful. -R.V.

88 -91 points,

Wine Spectator, March 2011

Ripe and rounded, with a velvety feel to the blackberry, blueberry and raspberry fruit. Shows nice range, with a suave finish. -J.M.

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