The 2023 vintage of Château Canon-La-Gaffelière 2023 has been very well received by leading Bordeaux critics, with most reviews placing it in the 94–97 point range.
| Critic |
Rating |
Key impressions |
| James Suckling |
96–97 |
Floral, vibrant and refined with blackberry, graphite, herbs and polished tannins; long, energetic finish. |
| Antonio Galloni (Vinous) |
95.5–97 |
Powerful yet balanced, featuring dark red fruit, blood orange, mint, dried herbs and impressive textural depth; recommends drinking 2030–2048. |
| Decanter |
94 |
Elegant, fresh and finely structured with excellent aging potential. |
| William Kelley (Wine Advocate) |
90–92 (barrel) |
Bright, crunchy style with minty berries, plum, pencil shavings, dried herbs, chalky tannins and lively acidity. |
| Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux) |
94 |
Satiny texture with raspberry fruit, saline minerality and crushed-stone character; sleek and refined. |
| Yves Beck |
95–96 |
Praised for precision, freshness and structure. |
Vintage profile
The 2023 blend is:
- 45% Cabernet Franc
- 35% Merlot
- 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
This relatively high proportion of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine a fresher, more structured profile than many recent vintages. It was aged in approximately 40% new French oak and bottled at around 13% alcohol.
Style consensus
Across critics, common descriptors include:
- Black cherry, blackberry and plum
- Blood orange and floral notes (violet, iris)
- Graphite, pencil shavings and crushed stone
- Mint and dried herbs
- Chalky, fine-grained tannins
- Fresh acidity and notable precision
- Long, mineral finish with excellent balance
Drinking window
Most reviewers suggest:
- Start drinking: around 2029–2030
- Peak: 2032–2045+
- Potential longevity: approximately 20 years or more in a good cellar.
Overall assessment
The 2023 Canon-La-Gaffelière is widely regarded as an excellent, classically styled Saint-Émilion. Compared with the richer 2022 vintage, it emphasizes freshness, aromatic complexity, precision and terroir expression over sheer power. Critics consistently view it as one of the stronger values among the classified growths of Saint-Émilion in 2023, with Vinous being particularly enthusiastic and James Suckling also awarding an outstanding score.
96-97pts James Suckling
Showing al-dente fruit with raspberries, orange peel and other hints of bitter citrus. Medium-bodied with creamy and medium, round tannins leading to a salty finish. Cabernet franc really showing through. A blend of 45% cabernet franc, 35% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon. May be better than 2022.
95-97pts The Wine Independent
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Canon la Gaffeliere pops from the glass with exuberant notes of fresh black and red currants, kirsch, and wild blueberries followed by hints of pencil shavings, violets, and mossy tree bark. The elegantly styled, medium-bodied palate is tightly wound and refreshing, with firm fine-grained tannins and bright crunchy red and black berry flavors, finishing long and minerally. The blend is 45% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
94-97pts Vinous
The 2023 Canon La Gaffelière is a powerful, dense wine. In recent years Canon La Gaffelière has been on the more perfumed side, but the 2023 moves in a direction of textural intensity. On the other hand, its balance is compelling. Dark red-toned fruit, pomegranate, spice, blood orange, mint and dried herbs open, but only with great reluctance. Tannins are present but also buried by the fruit.
92-94pts Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière checks in as a blend 45% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon raised in 40% new oak. It has a pretty, perfumed, elegant, mineral-driven profile of red and blue fruits as well as tons of floral and spicy nuances. Medium-bodied, finesse-driven, and elegant, with fine tannins on the palate, it has the vintage's pure, elegant style, and while it will offer pleasure in its youth, it's going to benefit from time.
94pts Jane Anson
Intense ruby colour, satiny texture with a reassuring correction of salted cracker to give balance to the exuberant raspberry fruits. Lifts not just on the finish but from the first moments, stretching out with a kick of slate and crushed rocks. Sleek and burnished. 75% in oak barrels for ageing (40% new) on the lees. 25% in vats. 35hl/ha.
94pts Decanter
Rich aromatics on the nose, smells deep and dark with violet tones on the nose. Supple and loads of energy straight away, it’s super bright - lively but also quite lean and mineral - a good burst initially but settles quite quickly with chalky tannins that coat the mouth in a fine powdery layer. A little tight and constricted with the structure taking over the fruity acidity. It’s has some finesse and a really long length filled with mint, bramble herbs, lots of aniseed and liquorice spice. I do like it, doesn't quite have the coherence of some others, a little austere but it’s structured and elegant.
90-92pts Wine Advocate
The 2023 Canon la Gaffelière offers up aromas of minty berries, plums, pencil shavings, dried herbs and bay leaf, followed by a medium to full-bodied, bright and crunchy palate underpinned by tangy acids and chalky tannins. It's a blend of 35% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
History
Located on the famous slope (and the foot of the slope) south of the medieval village of Saint-Emilion, Chateau Canon La Gaffelière has belonged to the Counts von Neipperg since 1971. Representing some eight centuries of family winegrowing tradition, Count Stephan von Neipperg has succeeded in placing Chateau Canon La Gaffelière among the top Grands Crus Classés of Saint-Emilion thanks to a winegrowing philosophy that gives priority not only to quality, but also respect for the environment.
Chateau Canon La Gaffelière is located on the outskirts of the medieval town of Saint-Emilion, at the southern foot of the slope. The 19.5 hectare (48 acres) vineyard has a complex, outstanding terroir of clay-limestone and clay-sand soil. The topsoil is primarily sandy, increasingly so as one moves away from the slope. The unusual proportion of grape varieties (55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) at Canon-La-Gaffelière is perfectly suited to the soil.
