Château Canon-La-Gaffelière 2025

Château Canon-La-Gaffelière is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé on the right bank of Bordeaux, run by Stephan von Neipperg and farmed organically. Its vineyards sit at the foot of the Saint-Émilion slope, on a mix of clay, sand and limestone that drains well on the higher ground and holds moisture in the clay below, ripening a blend unusually led by Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc gives the wine its aromatic freshness, structure and savoury, herbal edge, with Merlot for flesh and Cabernet Sauvignon for backbone. The wine is aged 16 months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange polishes the tannins and oak adds cedar and spice that frame the fruit. The high 14.5 percent alcohol reflects full ripeness. The colour is deep and intense. The nose shows ripe blackberry and plum, black olive, tobacco and a savoury, earthy note. The palate is full and structured, the ripe fruit carried on firm, fine tannins and fresh acidity through a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour or two ahead, or cellar. It suits roast and grilled red meat.