The 2015 La Gaffeliere is a Bordeaux Blend that hails from the prestigious Saint Emilion region in Bordeaux, France. This red wine exudes elegance and sophistication, showcasing the unique characteristics of its terroir. With a deep garnet-purple color, it immediately captivates the eye with its allure.
On the nose, the wine reveals a slightly reticent and broody aroma of black truffles, fertile loam, and mossy bark, which are beautifully complemented by warm plums, crushed blackberries, and black cherries. A touch of iron ore adds complexity and intrigue to the bouquet.
Medium to full-bodied, this wine boasts firm and finely grained tannins that provide a velvety texture on the palate. Layers of softly spoken fruit unfold, leaving a lasting impression. The wine's great freshness adds vibrancy and ensures a lingering finish.
Renowned wine critic Lisa Perrotti-Brown of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this vintage a score of 94+, recognizing its exceptional quality. She praises its depth and complexity, noting the silky tannins, ripe sweet red fruits, floral notes, and hints of smoke, black licorice, espresso, and wet earth. Perrotti-Brown believes that with time in the cellar, the wine will develop even more complexity and nuance.
Wine Enthusiast, another respected publication, awarded the 2015 La Gaffeliere an outstanding score of 97. They describe the wine as rich, concentrated, and structured. Its black fruits are complex, dark, and dense, indicating its potential for aging. They recommend waiting until 2026 to fully appreciate its magnificence.
The 2015 La Gaffeliere also received high praise from other notable critics. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it a score of 93+, highlighting its cassis, toasted spice, oak, and licorice flavors. Wine Spectator awarded it a score of 95, describing it as enticing with warm plum, fig, and blackberry compote notes, supported by minerality. James Suckling gave it a score of 94, praising its deep-set dark cherries, blueberries, and dark plums, as well as its vibrant acidity. Vinous awarded it an impressive score of 97, emphasizing its finesse, freshness, and nuanced flavors. Decanter awarded it a score of 95, praising its juicy and rich nature, silky tannins, and limestone terroir.
In conclusion, the 2015 La Gaffeliere is a wine of exceptional quality that showcases the best of Saint Emilion. With its complex aromas, velvety texture, and layers of fruit, it offers a truly remarkable sensory experience. This wine has the potential to age gracefully and improve with time, making it a valuable addition to any wine cellar.