La Gaffelière

History of Château La Gaffelière

The lands of Château La Gaffelière have a history dating back to the Gallo-Roman era. Mosaics discovered on the estate attest to the presence of a Roman villa in the 4th century, likely the property of Ausonius, a notable figure of the time. This rich historical past contributes to the unique aura that surrounds the estate today.

The name "La Gaffelière" originates from the Middle Ages, a period when a leper colony was located near the vineyard. Lepers, nicknamed "gaffets" due to the sticks they leaned on, came to seek treatment in this region.

The de Malet Roquefort family, current owners of the château, has been established in Saint-Émilion since the 17th century and has ensured the continuity of the estate's management for over 300 years. In the 18th century, the family distinguished itself by acquiring the property, and several of its members, such as Louis-Alexandre de Malet Roquefort, mayor of Saint-Émilion in the 19th century, have marked local history.

Despite difficult periods, particularly in the 20th century, the château has managed to evolve. Thanks to modernisation efforts initiated by Léo and Alexandre de Malet Roquefort in the early 2000s, the estate has risen among the elite of the premiers grands crus classés. In 2022, Château La Gaffelière even made a bold choice by voluntarily withdrawing from the Saint-Émilion classification, thus asserting its independence.

Terroirs and Vines of Château La Gaffelière

The vineyard of Château La Gaffelière spans 38 hectares, of which 22 hectares are classified as Premier Grand Cru. This estate benefits from an exceptional location between the hills of Pavie and Ausone, often nicknamed the "golden triangle" of Saint-Émilion, which confers incomparable complexity and richness to the wines.

The terroir of Château La Gaffelière is divided into three distinct major zones:

The limestone plateau with asterias: This area is composed of layers of clay and green marl resting on a limestone bedrock. Located about 90 metres above sea level, it offers ideal conditions for vine cultivation. The limestone, once extracted for the construction of Bordeaux monuments, is now a precious resource for the balance of viticultural soils.

The south/southwest-facing slope: Thanks to its sunny exposure and natural slopes, this area benefits from optimal drainage and excellent water regulation, favouring homogeneous grape ripening. The clay-limestone subsoil, rich in Fronsac molasses, allows for an essential mineral supply for the vines.

The foot of the slope: This terroir of deep sands, more fragile, requires particular attention. Its carbonated soil, although demanding, produces wines with delicate fruitiness and remarkable finesse.

The estate's grape variety composition is mainly Merlot (75%) and Cabernet Franc (25%), emblematic varieties of Saint-Émilion which, together, bring balance, structure and complexity to the wines.

Vinification at Château La Gaffelière

Vinification at Château La Gaffelière relies on traditional expertise combined with the most modern technologies. After meticulous manual harvesting, where each bunch is carefully sorted, the grapes are cooled overnight at 8°C to preserve their freshness. Subsequently, they are destemmed and sorted a second time using a state-of-the-art optical sorter, ensuring impeccable grape quality.

The vinification process takes place in a modern vat room entirely renovated in 2013. Composed of thermo-regulated vats in purple stainless steel, this vat room combines technology and aesthetics while respecting the architectural tradition of wood and stone. Each plot of the vineyard is vinified separately, which allows for preserving the unique expression of each terroir.

Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are rigorously controlled for each batch, with final blending carried out after tasting. The wine ageing then continues in French oak barrels, 50% of which are new, for 14 to 16 months. This meticulous process ensures Château La Gaffelière wine exceptional longevity and complex aromas, while respecting the identity of each vintage.

The cuvées of Château La Gaffelière

Château La Gaffelière offers two main cuvées, each reflecting the rigorous and passionate work carried out on the estate.

Château La Gaffelière - Premier Grand Cru Classé  

This emblematic wine, produced from the most prestigious plots of the estate, embodies the quintessence of Saint-Émilion terroir. Composed mainly of Merlot (75%) and Cabernet Franc (25%), Château La Gaffelière stands out for its power, finesse and balance. On tasting, it reveals complex aromas of black fruits (blackberries, blueberries) accompanied by notes of liquorice and spices. Its firm tannic structure and freshness on the finish make it an exceptional wine for ageing, capable of maturing for several decades under good conditions.

Clos La Gaffelière - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru  

Created in 1985, Clos La Gaffelière is the estate's second wine, primarily from the foot of the slope. Although slightly more accessible than the first wine, it benefits from equally rigorous care during vinification and ageing. This authentic wine, composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, seduces with its vibrant fruitiness and silky texture. Clos La Gaffelière is a wine of pleasure, ideal for accompanying moments of conviviality, while offering excellent value for money.

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 La Gaffelière is much more than just a wine estate. With a thousand-year history and a unique terroir, this Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion is a symbol of excellence and tradition. Each vintage testifies to the de Malet Roquefort family's deep respect for the vineyard and their commitment to producing elegant, complex and refined wines. Whether you are an amateur or a connoisseur, the wines of Château La Gaffelière are an invitation to discover the purest expression of Saint-Émilion terroir.