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 growths of Saint-Émilion. Its name is the result of a long history, having first been christened Canon-Boitard or La Gaffelière-Boitard, after its former owners. At the beginning of the 19th century, the property was bought by the Peyraud family, through the marriage of Mr Boitard's daughter to the doctor Louis Pierre Hisman Peyraud. After changing hands several times, the estate was acquired in 1971 by Count Joseph-Hubert von Neipperg, a German aristocrat passionate about 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. Thanks to his investments and innovative approach, Château Canon La Gaffelière reached new heights of quality, reconnecting with its historical renown. The property was certified Organic in 2014, testifying to the von Neipperg family's lasting commitment to the environment and the quality 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.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Canon La Gaffelière

The vineyard of Château Canon La Gaffelière extends over 19.5 hectares of ideally south-facing slopes, taking full advantage of 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 favours optimal heat retention and allows for early maturation of the grapes, especially for late-ripening varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The estate boasts a unique grape variety structure in 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 Château Canon La Gaffelière's wines remarkable complexity and aromatic richness. The vines, with an average age of 50 years, are cultivated according to rigorous organic methods, respecting the ecosystem. The soil is regularly ploughed to preserve its microbial life and enriched with organic composts.

The cultivation methods favour precision viticulture, intervening as little as possible and respecting the typicity of each plot and vintage. This meticulous work allows for the production of refined wines, offering a pure expression of the terroir.

Vinification at Château Canon La Gaffelière

Vinification at Château Canon La Gaffelière is an artisanal and rigorous process, aimed at enhancing each harvest. The grapes, harvested manually in small crates, undergo a meticulous double sorting before and after destemming, guaranteeing impeccable quality. The harvest is never crushed, thus preserving the integrity of the berries and ensuring a delicate extraction.

Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled wooden vats for 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 punching down, 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 wine's aromatic complexity while preserving its freshness.

Ageing, 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 brings a silky texture and great purity. In order to respect the identity of each vintage, manipulations during vinification are reduced to the strict minimum, thus limiting any excessive intervention.

The cuvées of Château Canon La Gaffelière

Château Canon La Gaffelière - Premier Grand Cru Classé

The estate's main cuvée is an elegant, complex and refined wine, recognised for its finesse and exceptional ageing potential. A unique blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is distinguished by aromas of red and black fruits, truffle, flowers and undergrowth, with mineral and spicy notes. On the palate, it is ample, 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 estate's second wine. It is produced with the same rigour as the grand vin, but from younger plots. This wine is characterised by its freshness and accessibility, while remaining elegant and structured. It expresses more fruity aromas, with a softer attack, making it ideal for earlier tasting.

Saint-Émilion, a jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced vintages of exceptional quality over the years, delighting connoisseurs of fine 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 undisputable reference. The following decades were equally 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 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages have shone through their balance and depth, reaffirming Saint-Émilion's reputation as one of Bordeaux's most sought-after appellations, where each new year continues to captivate fine wine enthusiasts with its consistent quality and elegance.

The classification of Saint-Émilion's Premiers Grands Crus Classés B, reviewed every 10 years, highlights exceptional châteaux from the Right Bank vineyard. Among those that continue to feature in this prestigious category are emblematic 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-increasing quality of the region's growths. However, some châteaux are no longer classified, such as La Gaffelière (since 2022) and Magdelaine (since 2006). This constant renewal ensures the excellence and evolution of the Saint-Émilion vineyard, where tradition and innovation blend harmoniously.

Château Canon La Gaffelière is much more than just a wine estate; it embodies the excellence of the Saint-Émilion terroir and modern viticultural innovation. Thanks to the continuous efforts of the von Neipperg family, and its commitment to environmentally friendly agriculture, this Premier Grand Cru Classé offers wines of incomparable elegance and complexity. Certified Organic since 2014, it produces refined cuvées, with subtle aromas and silky textures, appreciated by wine lovers around the world.