Château Canon La Gaffelière, 2020
Château Canon La Gaffelière, 2020
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- Red Still
- Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2046
Located on the pied de côte (foot of the slope) south of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, Château Canon La Gaffelière's terroir consists of clay-limestone and clay-sand soil that is very permeable and particularly efficient at retaining heat.
The choice of grape varieties is rather atypical for the appellation in light of the soil: almost a perfect 50/50 divide between Merlot and Cabernet. The Cabernets ripen early and remarkably well on Canon La Gaffelière's warm soil, adding power and aromatic complexity to Merlot's opulence to create wines of natural elegance and finesse.
Non-interventionist winemaking is practised and in such a way as to make the most of vintage character.
Currently in its primary phase with vibrant fruit intensity dominating, though the wine's remarkable balance suggests excellent aging potential. Over the next five to seven years, the exotic plum and orange notes will integrate with the chocolate and leather undertones, developing greater complexity whilst maintaining freshness. By the early 2030s, secondary aromatics of tobacco, cedar, and earth will emerge alongside the fruit, reaching peak drinking from 2035-2040. The wine's natural elegance and finesse suggest it will age gracefully into the late-2040s, though the pure fruit character may gradually give way to more savoury, tertiary complexity.
What the critics say:
"The 2020 Canon La Gaffelière is heady, sumptuous and totally exotic. A wine of depth and striking intensity, the 2020 possesses tremendous balance right out of the gate. Ripe red plum, blood orange, pomegranate, spice and leather all meld together effortlessly. There's real presence and depth here. Time in the glass brings out the purity of the flavors. The blend is 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. I can't wait to see how this ages."
"Lots of blue fruits, leafy herbs, chocolate, and earthy goodness emerge from the 2020 Château Canon-La-Gaffeliere, a medium to full-bodied, dense, focused, elegant Saint-Emilion that needs plenty of air to show at its best. The purity of fruit is remarkable, and while it starts out tight and focused, it blossoms with air, showing a more expansive, layered, rich yet still fresh texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. It’s a thrilling Saint-Emilion readers should snatch up."
"Such clarity to this with redcurrants, stems, fresh herbs, blackcurrants, and cherries on the nose. Medium to full body. Very tight, fine tannins. It builds nicely and has excellent length. Class and reality here. Needs three to five years."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep garnet with a vibrant purple rim suggesting youth and concentration.
NoseHeady and exotic with ripe red plum and blood orange leading, followed by pomegranate brightness. Chocolate and leather add depth whilst leafy herbs provide aromatic complexity. Time reveals remarkable purity beneath the initial intensity.
PalateMedium to full-bodied with striking balance despite the wine's exotic character. Blue fruits and chocolate richness are kept fresh by the wine's natural acidity. The texture starts focused and tight but expands beautifully with air, showing layered depth that keeps drawing you back.
FinishLong and persistent with spice, leather, and pure fruit flavours melding effortlessly together.
Overall impressionA thrilling Saint-Émilion that combines exotic intensity with remarkable balance and aging potential.
Food Pairings
In the Périgord and surrounding Dordogne, this style of rich Saint-Émilion would traditionally accompany confit de canard with roasted potatoes cooked in duck fat, or côte de boeuf grilled over vine cuttings. The wine's plum and chocolate notes pair beautifully with magret de canard aux cerises, whilst its leather and spice complexity matches perfectly with wild boar stewed with juniper berries. Local chefs would also serve this alongside aged Roquefort or mature Comté, letting the wine's exotic fruit play against the cheese's mineral saltiness.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 17-18°C to showcase the wine's aromatic complexity without muting its fresh acidity. Decant for at least two hours to allow the tight, focused structure to open and reveal its layered character, though it will continue evolving in the glass throughout the evening. Use large Bordeaux glasses to concentrate the exotic aromatics whilst providing enough bowl space for the wine to breathe. The wine benefits enormously from air, so don't rush the service.
The vineyards lie on the foot of Saint-Émilion's slopes where clay-limestone and clay-sand soils provide exceptional heat retention and permeability. This warm terroir allows the Cabernet varieties to ripen early and remarkably well, which is unusual for the appellation where most estates rely heavily on Merlot. The permeable soils drain efficiently whilst retaining enough moisture and warmth to bring aromatic complexity to the blend. This unique combination of soil composition and microclimate creates wines of natural elegance rather than power.
Saint-Émilion is Bordeaux's most romantic appellation, where Merlot typically dominates on clay and limestone slopes around the medieval village. Unlike the Médoc's gravel beds that favour Cabernet Sauvignon, Saint-Émilion's terroir generally suits earlier-ripening varieties, making Canon La Gaffelière's successful Cabernet integration unusual. The appellation's classification system differs from the Médoc's 1855 rankings, with Premier Grand Cru Classé estates reviewed roughly every decade. Saint-Émilion's wines tend toward opulence and approachability compared to the Médoc's more austere, long-lived styles.
The 2020 Bordeaux vintage began with one of the wettest winters on record, followed by a scorching summer that nearly broke temperature records across the region. What could have been a disaster became salvation: those deep winter water reserves carried the vines through the heat, while the dry conditions from July onwards concentrated flavours beautifully. The harvest started early and moved quickly, with most châteaux picking under ideal September skies.
We find 2020 Bordeaux surprisingly charming for such a hot year - the wines show ripe, generous fruit without the baked character you might expect. The Merlot-based Right Bank wines are particularly successful, displaying plush damson and blackberry flavours with enough freshness to keep them lively. Cabernet Sauvignon on the Left Bank delivers power and concentration, though some properties struggled more than others with the heat. Most 2020s are drinking beautifully now - this isn't a vintage that demands decades of patience, and we rather like that about it.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Exotic and sumptuous with ripe red plum, blood orange, and pomegranate fruit, backed by chocolate depth and leather complexity. The wine starts tight but blossoms beautifully with air.
When should I drink this wine?
While approachable now for those who can't wait, this wine will be at its peak from 2029-2046. The fruit intensity and structure suggest excellent aging potential.
What food pairs best with this wine?
Rich dishes like duck confit, grilled côte de boeuf, or wild boar stew. The wine's exotic fruit character also works beautifully with aged cheeses like Roquefort or mature Comté.
Should I decant this wine?
Absolutely. Decant for at least two hours to allow the tight structure to open and reveal the wine's remarkable layered character. It will continue evolving throughout the evening.
How does this compare to other Saint-Émilions?
More exotic and intense than typical Saint-Émilions, thanks to Canon La Gaffelière's unusual 50/50 Merlot-Cabernet blend and warm terroir that ripens Cabernet varieties exceptionally well.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Definitely. Critics are raving about the 2020's aging potential, and the wine's natural elegance and structure suggest it will reward patience well into the 2040s.
OUR GROWERS
Château Canon La Gaffelière
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