The 2020 Canon la Gaffeliere is a Bordeaux Blend from the Saint Emilion region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Canon la Gaffeliere, has an alcohol content of 13.5% and is closed with a traditional cork. The blend comprises 50% Merlot, 30-35% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting a balanced, yet complex profile.
James Suckling awarded this wine a score of 96 points, describing it as "very refined and polished with minerally, almost salty character." He noted its "full body and beautiful, compact tannins," and praised its "racy finish" and "excellent drive" (jamessuckling.com, 5/11/2021).
Decanter also gave the wine high marks with a score of 94, highlighting its "concentrated and intense" nature. The review mentioned "juicy liquorice and blackberry flavours" and a "beautiful tension with slate and crushed stone texture." The wine's finish includes "chocolate shavings, bitter and intense," and the sample improved after 24 hours, indicating strong aging potential (Decanter, 5/1/2021).
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider echoed the praise, giving it 96 points and calling it "one of the top vintages produced here." He noted the "floral characteristics" and a bouquet of "white flowers and dried roses," along with "plums, black cherries, black raspberries, mint and cigar wrapper nuances." The palate is described as "lush, opulent, and vibrant" with a "touch of salty chalk" on the finish (TheWineCellarInsider.com, 3/21/2023).
Jeb Dunnuck gave the wine an impressive 97 points, calling it "quite possibly the finest vintage of this cuvée" he has tasted. He remarked on the "classic notes of cassis, ripe black cherries, spring flowers, and truffly earth," praising its "full-bodied and perfectly balanced" nature (jebdunnuck.com, 3/29/2023).
Wine Enthusiast also scored it between 94-96 points, describing it as a "richly structured wine" with "great density" and "blackberry flavors layered with impressive tannins" (Wine Enthusiast).
Wine Spectator rated it 95 points, noting its "ripe, fresh and expressive" qualities with "mulberry, boysenberry and blackberry puree notes" complemented by "light sanguine, black tea and singed apple wood details" (Wine Spectator, 11/30/2022).
Vinous awarded the wine 97 points, calling it "heady, sumptuous and totally exotic." The review highlighted its "tremendous balance" and "depth and striking intensity," with flavors of "ripe red plum, blood orange, pomegranate, spice and leather" (Vinous, 2/23/2023).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it 95 points, praising its "inviting aromas of dark berries, plums, burning embers, rose petals, incense and bay leaf." The review mentioned its "medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered" profile with "melting, powdery tannins" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 4/6/2023).
Overall, the 2020 Canon la Gaffeliere stands out as a well-reviewed wine with strong aging potential, complex flavors, and a balanced structure, highly recommended by multiple esteemed reviewers.