Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé B

1978

65% Merlot 
30% Cabernet Franc
5% Cabernet Sauvignon 

Region: Bordeaux 

ESTATE HISTORY

Before the modern era of Chateau La Gaffeliere took hold, from all the ruins left behind by the ancient Romans, it is clear vines were cultivated here thousands of years ago.

Chateau La Gaffeliere has the unique distinction of being one of the oldest, family-owned vineyards in the St. Emilion appellation of Bordeaux. The family can trace their roots in the right bank all the way back to the 1400s.

The fifteenth-century Bordeaux chateau of La Gaffeliere might not have always been a winery. In fact, the chateau could have been used for a completely different purpose. It is possible that the chateau might have been a gaffeliere. A gaffeliere is translated from ancient French to a leper colony.

While parts of the estate date back to the 11th century, the true beginnings of La Gaffeliere as a winery started with the arrival of the Comte de Malet-Roquefort in the 17th century. They are responsible for the unique, Gothic-styled chateau that is easily visible from the main road leading to the Saint Emilion village.

By the 18th century, Chateau La Gaffeliere had earned a reputation for producing high-quality, St. Emilion wine. At some point in time, the vineyard was split with some of the land shifting to what became Canon La Gaffeliere, located just down the road.

Under the Malet-Roquefort family, for a period of time, the estate was known as La Gaffeliere Naudes. Eventually, the estate’s name changed and was shortened to just Chateau La Gaffeliere.

TERROIR

Château la Gaffelière lies in the middle of its 25 hectares, all in one piece, of which 22 hectares are planted in vines in the Southern hillside of Saint-Émilion. The alliance of hillside wines and the foot of the coast produces a nectar that is powerful, distinguished and silky at the same time. This harmony is found in all the vintages of our Château.
The domaine’s vineyards enjoy a continental climate with spring rainfall similar to the St. Emilion and Pomerol regions.

The terroir consists of clay-limestone, chalk, and sand soils.

VITICULTURE

The median vine age is 40 years, and the average vine density is 6000 vines per hectare. The winery employs eco-friendly practices, including single and double guyot pruning, alternate disbudding, and adding shredded shoots for soil enrichment.

WINEMAKING

The harvested grapes are kept in cold storage at the winery for a day before they’re sorted. 
Alcoholic fermentation occurs in conical, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, while malolactic fermentation is done in oak barrels.
The wines are aged in 50% new French oak barrels for 14 to 16 months before bottling. 

TASTING & FOOD PAIRINGS

The wines from Château la Gaffelière are a deep, luminous ruby colour displaying a rich bouquet of complex aromas dominated by cassis and truffle.

"Extremely herbaceous to the point of being vegetal, with soft, muddled, inadequately concentrated flavors, this wine is beginning its decline and should be consumed now if at all." Source: Robert Parker

Food pairings: red meat, game, ripe cheeses.

*Please note the image is of a representative bottle. For pictures of the actual bottle please contact us.