Château Canon La Gaffelière

History of Château Canon La Gaffelière  

Founded on the ruins of an ancient leper hospital in the 17th century, Château Canon La Gaffelière quickly distinguished itself among the greatest crus of Saint-Émilion. Its name is the result of a long history, having first been called Canon-Boitard or La Gaffelière-Boitard, after the names of its former owners. At the beginning of the 19th century, the property was purchased by the Peyraud family, through the marriage of M. Boitard's daughter to the physician Louis Pierre Hisman Peyraud. After changing hands several times, the estate was acquired in 1971 by Count Joseph-Hubert von Neipperg, a German aristocrat with a passion for viticulture.

It was in 1983 that Stephan von Neipperg, the Count's son, took over the management of the estate and embarked on an ambitious modernisation programme. Thanks to his investments and an innovative approach, Château Canon La Gaffelière reached new heights of quality, reconnecting with its historic renown. The property was certified in Organic Farming in 2014, demonstrating the lasting commitment of the von Neipperg family to the environment and the quality of the terroir.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Canon La Gaffelière  

The vineyard of Château Canon La Gaffelière extends over 19.5 hectares of hillside slopes ideally exposed to the south, benefiting fully from the temperate climate of the Saint-Émilion region. This terroir is distinguished by the diversity of its soils, composed of clay, limestone, and sand. These soils are particularly well-draining, which promotes optimal heat retention and allows for early ripening of the grapes, especially for late-ripening varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The estate features a unique planting structure for Saint-Émilion, with a perfect balance between Merlot (50%), Cabernet Franc (40%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). This unusual blend, in an appellation where Merlot is generally dominant, gives the wines of Château Canon La Gaffelière a remarkable complexity and aromatic richness. The vines, with an average age of 50 years, are cultivated using rigorous organic methods, in respect of the ecosystem. The soil is regularly ploughed to preserve its microbial life and enriched with organic compost.

Farming methods favour precision viticulture, intervening as little as possible and respecting the typicity of each plot and vintage. This meticulous work makes it possible to produce distinguished wines, offering a pure expression of the terroir.

The 2017 and 2015 vintages of Château Canon La Gaffelière were awarded a score of 97/100 by Robert Parker, celebrating the finesse and structure of this Saint-Émilion.

Winemaking at Château Canon La Gaffelière  

Winemaking at Château Canon La Gaffelière is an artisanal and rigorous process, aimed at bringing out the best in every harvest. The grapes, harvested by hand in small crates, undergo a double sorting process, meticulously carried out before and after destemming, ensuring impeccable quality. The harvest is never crushed, thus preserving the integrity of the berries and ensuring a delicate extraction.

Fermentation takes place in thermoregulated wooden vats, over a period of 28 to 35 days, depending on the characteristics of the vintage. The extraction of tannins and aromas is carried out by pneumatic pigeage, a gentle method that preserves all the finesse of the fruit. Malolactic fermentation then takes place directly in new French oak barrels, which contributes to the aromatic complexity of the wine while preserving its freshness.

The ageing process, which lasts from 15 to 18 months depending on the vintage, takes place on fine lees. This technique preserves the intrinsic qualities of the wine and imparts a silky texture and great purity. In order to respect the identity of each vintage, interventions during winemaking are kept to a strict minimum, thus limiting any excessive handling.

The Cuvées of Château Canon La Gaffelière  

Château Canon La Gaffelière - Premier Grand Cru Classé  

The estate's flagship cuvée is an elegant, complex, and distinguished wine, recognised for its finesse and exceptional ageing potential. A unique blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, it stands out for its aromas of red and black fruits, truffle, flowers, and undergrowth, with mineral and spiced notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, refined finish. The 2021 vintage, for example, displays a seductive and enveloping style, with a beautiful freshness and tangy notes of red fruits.

Les Hauts de Canon La Gaffelière  

Formerly known as Cote Migon La Gaffelière, Les Hauts de Canon La Gaffelière is the second wine of the estate. It is produced with the same rigour as the fine wine, but from younger plots. This wine is characterised by its freshness and accessibility, while remaining elegant and structured. It expresses fruitier aromas, with a softer attack, making it ideal for earlier drinking.

Saint-Émilion, jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced over the years vintages of exceptional quality, delighting lovers of great wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The famous 1982 remains an undisputed reference. The following decades were no less impressive, with remarkable vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have shone for their balance and depth, reaffirming the reputation of Saint-Émilion as one of the most sought-after appellations in Bordeaux, where each new year continues to captivate lovers of great wines with its consistent quality and elegance.

The classification of Premiers Grands Crus Classés B of Saint-Émilion, reviewed every 10 years, highlights exceptional châteaux from the right bank vineyard. Among those who continue to feature in this prestigious category, one finds iconic names such as Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Château Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau Lagarrosse, Château Bélair-Monange, Château Canon, Château Pavie-Macquin, Château Troplong-Mondot, Château Trottevieille, and Clos Fourtet. Others, promoted in 2012, such as Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Château Larcis-Ducasse, Château La Mondotte, and Château Valandraud, also illustrate the ever-rising quality of the region's wines. On the other hand, certain châteaux are no longer classified, such as La Gaffelière (since 2022) and Magdelaine (since 2006). This constant renewal guarantees the excellence and evolution of the Saint-Émilion vineyard, where tradition and innovation blend harmoniously.

Château Canon La Gaffelière is far more than a simple wine estate; it embodies the excellence of the Saint-Émilion terroir and modern viticultural innovation. Thanks to the continued efforts of the von Neipperg family, and their commitment to environmentally respectful farming, this Premier Grand Cru Classé produces wines of unparalleled elegance and complexity. Certified in Organic Farming since 2014, it produces distinguished cuvées with subtle aromas and silky textures, appreciated by wine lovers the world over.