The 2017 La Gaffeliere Bordeaux Blend from Saint Emilion, France, offers a compelling profile that resonates well with both critics and wine enthusiasts. This red wine, primarily composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, is noted for its structure and sophistication.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this vintage a stellar 97 points, highlighting its "fantastic elegance and sophistication" and describing it as a wine with "tons of bright, perfumed fruit and exquisitely ripe tannins." The review notes that this wine was mostly sourced from the higher elevation areas of Saint-Émilion, which may have contributed to its impressive character.
Wine Enthusiast also gave high praise with a 96-point score, appreciating its "good structure, delicious black-currant fruits and powerful tannins." The recommendation is to allow it to mature until at least 2024 to enjoy its full potential.
James Suckling and Wine Spectator both rated it at 93 points. Suckling observed its "sappy and leafy elements" and "juicy, crunchy acidity," while Wine Spectator found it "floral and elegant," featuring "lilac and violet notes" and "a lovely snap of anise."
Decanter concurs with a 93-point rating, calling it "richly layered" and "clearly one of the best in this flight," noting its "mouth-watering minerality" and potential for growth over time.
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider offered a slightly more modest score of 92 but noted the wine's "lush, ripe, dark red fruits" and its potential to improve with "six to eight years of bottle age."
Overall, the 2017 La Gaffeliere is a wine of notable complexity and depth, with a promising future for those who choose to cellar it.