(97-99 points) The 2025 La Gaffeliere soars out of the glass with magnificent intensity. Strong Cabernet Franc overtones and bright saline notes from the clay-limestone plateau are finely sketched with tremendous precision. The 2025 bristles with tension from start to finish. It's a phenomenal wine by any measure. Tasted two times. - Antonio Galloni

(96-98+ points) A brilliant château that has been producing truly exceptional wines over the last decade or more, the 2025 Château La Gaffelière sports a deep purple hue and a gorgeous perfume of black and blue fruits, minty herbs, graphite, and chocolate, as well as perfectly integrated background oak. On the palate, it's ripe, full-bodied, and concentrated, with a deep, layered style that brings the purity as well as the freshness that's the hallmark of the vintage. It's going to check in near the top of this notable vintage.

(96-98 points) The 2025 from La Gaffelière presents a simply gorgeous nose, combing confident aromas of perfumed griottes, wild berries and rose-infused dark chocolate, with perfumed scents of violet, lavender and mint, and a savoury element suggestive of coffee bean, mentholated liqueur and olive tapenade. The palate is fresh, harmonious, polished and correct, with more of those griottes here joined by roses and dark chocolate, draped over a fine-boned backbone of tannin. It has a fine freshness and grip, before concluding in a sappy, tannin-infused flourish. A really smart La Gaffelière which has certainly upped its game in recent years; this has to be one of the best I have tasted here in a very long time. 96-98/100

(95-97 points) (Saint-Émilion; 65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc; a final yield of 39 hl/ha; pH 3.41; 13.8% ABV; tasted four times, finally at the property with Alexandre de Malet Roquefort, with more and more cedar on each encounter). Gorgeous aromatically, with radiant iris and lily of the valley. Violet and patchouli with aeration. Pure, gracious and, in the mouth, the fruit is held very tightly to a well-defined central spine. Dense and compact, more so because of that, but at the same time light, lifted, delicate and aerial from the high proportion of expressive Cabernet Franc. There\'s great intensity for a wine so elegant and lithe. The tannins are reassuringly chewy, indicating the aging potential. A touch of walnut and cedar, too, hint at the path ahead. This is undemonstrative and the accent is on the delicacy of the tannic management, rendering this essentially elegant and classy. The secret to this is the sheer quality of the Cabernet Franc and its capacity to impart freshness all the length of the palate. There\'s great potential too. Clos La Gaffelière (80% Merlot; 20% Cabernet Franc). Tasted in the barrel cellar at La Gaffelière, but this is not made here and is from an entirely different property. Very pretty, elegant, refined, with lovely, dark berry fruit – blueberry and a little black cherry, and a touch of iris. Lovely, easy and accessible. Great value. (90-92). 95-97

Thoroughly enjoyable, iris, juicy bilberry, loganberry, blackcurrant, rich, juicy and measured, has the fingerprint of limestone without being sharp. Clearly will age well, already totally delicious. 3.42 pH. Harvest September 12 to 22. 50% new oak.

Black cherries, licorice, flowers, chocolate, smoke, and mint leaves create the perfume. The multiple layers of fruit grab your attention with their elegance, purity, and energy, finishing with a refreshing touch of chocolate-mint and a light touch of sea salt, adding sapidity, so you want to take another sniff and sip, just for the pleasure of it. The wine blends 45% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13% ABV. The harvest took place from September 16 to September 19, making this the shortest harvest in the property's history. Yields were 35 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2029-2055. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2025&wine=Chateau%20La%20Gaffeliere

(93-96 points) Deep and dark with notes of tar and rubber this is a very typical example of La Gaffeliere. The fruit is strong and dark with an impressive tannic backbone with many layers of dark and serious fruit. It would need 5-7 years cellaring before opening a bottle.

(94-96 points) Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 La Gaffelière is a touch closed to start off, revealing subtle notes of cedar chest, charcoal, and bay leaves before opening out to a core of fresh black plums and blackberry preserves, plus a waft of red roses. The medium-bodied palate has a firm structure of grainy tannins and refreshing acidity to match the bold black fruit and savory layers, finishing minerally.

Perfumed fragrance on the nose. Juicy and fun straight away, the acidity gives this energy, focus and lift, bright and upfront. I love this, not trying too hard at all, there’s still tannins in the background but all the focus is on the fruit and balance. Crisp, yet totally fragrant on the palate too. There’s power no doubt but this is just really charming. Will be lovely after ageing.

(90-92 points) The 2025 La Gaffelière reveals an open, expressive bouquet of cassis, with a vivid fruit profile that becomes more floral with aeration. Medium- to full-bodied, it's more reserved on the palate, built around a firm, limestone-inflected structure, with tannins that show a touch of dryness at this stage. The contrast between aromatic generosity and structural restraint will likely resolve with élevage.