The 2003 Canon-La Gaffelière was the winning bottle in the April Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was not decanted and paired well with grilled burgers on a warm Spring night in Seattle.
Château Canon-la-Gaffelière is situated in Saint-Émilion and ranked Premier Grand Cru Classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. In 1969, Count Joseph Hubert von Neipperg purchased Canon La Gaffeliere from the Meyrat family. The von Neipperg family remains the owners today. Currently, Stephan von Neipperg manages Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere as well as several other Saint Emilion estates.
Crimson in color with some bricking at the edge of the glass. 13% ABV. Charming nose of red fruits, plums, smoke and leather. Medium body with sufficient acidity. Soft and approachable with ample sweet fruits. Currants, cassis, tobacco and earth on the palate. Nice length on the finish. Fully mature but properly cellared bottles should show well for several more years.
My rating: 91 points.
Current vintages of Canon-la-Gaffelière can be found for around $100 and are highly recommended.