(TWI 96-98 points) The 2023 La Gaffeliere is deep garnet-purple in color. It slowly emerges from the glass with fragrant scents of boysenberries, fresh juicy plums, and black raspberries opening out to hints of lilacs, Sichuan pepper, fragrant soil, and cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate is exquisitely knit with filigree layers of black and red berries and floral accents, supported by plush tannins and wonderful tension, finishing long and perfumed. Wow! The blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.50. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

(JD 94-97 points) One of the stars of the vintage, the 2023 Château La Gaffelière checks in as 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc resting in 50% new barrels. Cassis, smoked black fruits, graphite, and crushed stone all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered, concentrated mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. It has a lot of oak but more than enough fruit and texture. It's serious stuff.

(JL 94-96 points) Black plums, flowers, cherries, and fennel fill the nose. On the palate, the wine is luscious, elegant, polished, fresh, sweet, and lifted, with lingering cherries, and plums on the backend in the salted-chocolatey, finish. Drink from 2028-2050.

A deep nose, floral, so perfumed, lots of ripe black bramble fruit. Concentrated and so full, there’s density on the palate, there’s so much ripe red fruit that fills the mouth with a soft grip to the tannins that support the fruit but doesn't overwhelm. This feels instantly classy, layered and complex with a gentle confidence. It’s round and slightly fleshy, although feels sculpted and muscular with volume, a lovely juiciness and a touch of dark chocolate, cedar and liquorice on the finish. Sophisticated.

Aromas of ripe black cherries, mulberries and touches of iodine and violet extract. Full-bodied, flavorful and structured but finely etched, with fine tannins, good acidity and a long, Fine finish. 58% merlot and 42% cabernet franc. Better from 2027. Zekun Shuai Senior Editor

The 2023 La Gaffelière was deeply impressive out of barrel. Now in bottle, it has a sublime bouquet with precision and focused brambly red fruit, undergirded by fine mineralité and tension. The oak is seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied and silky smooth. Perfectly pitched acidity, this has a surfeit of nascent energy and a brightness on the finish that sets it apart from many. Gifted. - By Neal Martin on February 2026

Deep ruby colour, mulberry flavours and aromatics, upfront damson and black cherry fruit on the attack, this is full of power and flavour, sappy with a punch of spice, and chalky tannins that hold everything in place. Great stuff. 50% new oak for ageing, Stéphane Derenoncourt consultant, Alexandre de Malet-Roquefort owner. Bottled in June 2025.