2021 Canon la Gaffeliere

Based on 45% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon raised in 40% new oak, the 2021 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière has lots of Cabernet Franc floral character as well as attractive red fruit, chalky minerality, leather, and rose petal nuances. It's medium-bodied and has fine tannins, a supple, silky profile, and outstanding length. Drink this charming, complex, elegant 2021 over the coming two decades.

The 2021 Canon-La-Gaffelière is gorgeous, but it is also very closed today. I view that as a positive for its long-term prospects, but readers need to be patient here. The 2021 is a super-classic Canon-La-Gaffelière redolent of strong floral and mineral accents. Its energy and sheer breeding are truly remarkable. I can't wait to taste it with bottle age. Bright saline notes extend the long, beautifully persistent finish. The 2021 was aged 40% in new oak, 20% in tank and the remainder in used oak and 400-liter barrels. This really pulses with energy.

The 2021 Canon La Gaffelière has a satisfying bouquet that has much more fruité than the Clos de l'Oratoire, displaying scents of red plum, wild strawberry, violet and white flower. Its aromatics are not intense, but this has commendable presence. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, finely balanced though relatively light compared to fellow vintages. It reveals a dash of cracked black pepper toward the finish. Drink it over the next 12 to 15 years.