97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Composed of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in French oak, 55% new, for 17 months, the 2015 Canon la Gaffeliere features a deep garnet-purple color and a cedar-laced nose to begin, giving way to fragrant underlying scents of roses and violets with a core of crushed black currants, blackberries and Bing cherries plus hints of fallen leaves and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, the seductively perfumed red and black fruit fills the mouth, framed with plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing very long and minerally. Drink: 2023-2040. (Feb 2018)"
97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2015 Canon La Gaffelière is deep, powerful and explosive. Seamless and captivating in the glass, it possesses magnificent richness, volume and intensity in every dimension. The Cabernet Franc, usually such a strong signature, is nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the Merlot fruit. Espresso, mocha, licorice and plum infuse the racy finish. The 2015 is going to need the better part of a decade to be expressive. Tasted two times. Drink: 2023-2035. (Feb 2018)"
96 points and '#2 Wine of 2018,' Wine Spectator: "Still youthfully tight and backward, with a well-roasted frame of alder and juniper holding sway for now, but the core of cassis, blackberry and plum fruit waits in reserve, showing prodigious depth. When the toast and fruit melds, the backdrop of tobacco, singed iron and chalky minerality will get a turn to show. There's a lot here. Built for the cellar. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2040. (3/31/18)"
96 points James Suckling: "The aromas of violets and rose petals are prevalent here with blue fruits as well. Full body, integrated and firm tannins and a long finish. Structured yet fine and shows such finesse. Give it five or six years to come together. (2/2/18)"
95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "From an incredible terroir just outside the village of Saint-Emilion and a blend of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 Canon-La-Gaffeliere is a beautiful, elegant, complex beauty readers should snatch up. Blueberries, violets/spring flowers, Asian spices, and a salty minerality all emerge from this full-bodied, yet elegant 2015 that has sweet tannin, a big mid-palate, and a great, great finish. Still tight and reserved, give bottle 3-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following two decades or more. Drink: 2021-2041. (11/30/17)"
95 points Tim Atkin, MW
93-95 points Peter Moser (Falstaff) (5/30/16).
94 points Decanter: "Sophisticated, smooth and regal, though a little hard to read, it's clearly full of tight, well-extracted fruit, some cinnamon and white pepper spice, and finely grained tannins. Very good quality, holding itself in check, insistent rather than loud. Drinking Window: 2023-2035. (Dec 2017)"
94 points Wine Enthusiast: "This structured wine also offers juicy, elegant fruit. Full of black plums, spice from judicious wood aging and acidity, its core remains to develop. The wine needs to age so drink after 2024. (Feb 2018)"
97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2015 Canon La Gaffelière is deep, powerful and explosive. Seamless and captivating in the glass, it possesses magnificent richness, volume and intensity in every dimension. The Cabernet Franc, usually such a strong signature, is nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the Merlot fruit. Espresso, mocha, licorice and plum infuse the racy finish. The 2015 is going to need the better part of a decade to be expressive. Tasted two times. Drink: 2023-2035. (Feb 2018)"
96 points and '#2 Wine of 2018,' Wine Spectator: "Still youthfully tight and backward, with a well-roasted frame of alder and juniper holding sway for now, but the core of cassis, blackberry and plum fruit waits in reserve, showing prodigious depth. When the toast and fruit melds, the backdrop of tobacco, singed iron and chalky minerality will get a turn to show. There's a lot here. Built for the cellar. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2040. (3/31/18)"
96 points James Suckling: "The aromas of violets and rose petals are prevalent here with blue fruits as well. Full body, integrated and firm tannins and a long finish. Structured yet fine and shows such finesse. Give it five or six years to come together. (2/2/18)"
95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "From an incredible terroir just outside the village of Saint-Emilion and a blend of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 Canon-La-Gaffeliere is a beautiful, elegant, complex beauty readers should snatch up. Blueberries, violets/spring flowers, Asian spices, and a salty minerality all emerge from this full-bodied, yet elegant 2015 that has sweet tannin, a big mid-palate, and a great, great finish. Still tight and reserved, give bottle 3-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following two decades or more. Drink: 2021-2041. (11/30/17)"
95 points Tim Atkin, MW
93-95 points Peter Moser (Falstaff) (5/30/16).
94 points Decanter: "Sophisticated, smooth and regal, though a little hard to read, it's clearly full of tight, well-extracted fruit, some cinnamon and white pepper spice, and finely grained tannins. Very good quality, holding itself in check, insistent rather than loud. Drinking Window: 2023-2035. (Dec 2017)"
94 points Wine Enthusiast: "This structured wine also offers juicy, elegant fruit. Full of black plums, spice from judicious wood aging and acidity, its core remains to develop. The wine needs to age so drink after 2024. (Feb 2018)"
| Product SKU | 333583 |
| Producer | Canon-La Gaffelière |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| SubRegion | Right Bank |
| Appellation | St-Émilion |
| Varietal | Cabernet/Bordeaux Blends |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| ABV | 14.0% |
| Ships To |
