Château La Gaffèliere 1er Grand Cru Classé B 2019

Region and Vineyards

Located on the southern slope of Saint-Émilion, Château La Gaffelière benefits from a privileged terroir that has produced wine since Roman times. The estate spans 38 hectares, with 22 hectares classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé B. The vineyard is divided into three distinct soil types: the limestone plateau, clay-limestone slopes, and siliceous foothills—each contributing unique characteristics to the final blend.

The vines, planted 70% to Merlot and 30% to Cabernet Franc, are cultivated using integrated viticulture and certified High Environmental Value (HEV). Grass cover is maintained between rows, and green harvesting, leaf removal, and precise pruning are employed to enhance grape concentration. In 2019, the growing season saw extreme heat and water stress, mitigated just in time by a beneficial late July storm. The Merlot harvest spanned from September 18 to October 8, while the Cabernet Franc concluded on October 11, allowing for optimal ripeness across all plots.

Winemaking

Grapes are chilled at 7°C for 12 hours before being sorted with optical precision. Fermentation is carried out by parcel in gravity-fed, stainless-steel tanks, without added sulfur at filling. Extraction is managed via both pumping over and punching down, with maceration lasting 30 days for Merlot and 32 days for Cabernet Franc.

Malolactic fermentation occurs in both tanks (75%) and barrels (25%), followed by an aging period of 14 to 16 months in 60% new French oak barrels. The wine undergoes three rackings, a traditional but exacting approach that preserves freshness and elegance while encouraging gentle clarification and complexity through time.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with bright, youthful highlights.
• Aroma: Complex aromas of ripe red and black fruit, graphite, fresh tobacco, and subtle spices, underscored by floral notes and a hint of limestone dust.
• Palate: Plush and layered, the wine opens with silky Merlot fruit, energized by the linear drive of Cabernet Franc. The texture is elegant yet structured, leading to a mineral, persistent finish of remarkable poise.

Did you know?

Château La Gaffelière stands as a testament to continuity and tradition, with ownership by the Malet Roquefort family for over four centuries. Its location—between the hillsides of Ausone and Pavie—places it within a corridor of exceptional terroir, once part of the Roman villa "Le Gaffelièrensis." The estate is also notable for its forward-thinking approach, including early adoption of gravity-fed vinification and high-precision optical sorting.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Roasted duck breast with cherry glaze: Enhances the ripe red fruit character and adds depth to the fine tannins.
• Porcini mushroom risotto: Echoes the earthy undertones and highlights the wine's velvety texture.
• Rack of lamb with rosemary jus: Complements the structure and herbal nuances of the Cabernet Franc.
• Comté or aged Saint-Nectaire: Balances the wine’s richness and minerality, creating a harmonious interplay.

History of Château La Gaffelière

The story of Château La Gaffelière is deeply intertwined with the history of Saint-Émilion itself. Archaeological evidence, including vestiges of a Gallo-Roman villa named Le Gaffelièrensis, suggests that vines were cultivated on this land nearly 2,000 years ago. The modern estate was officially founded in the 17th century, and since that time it has remained in the hands of the Malet Roquefort family, making it one of the oldest family-run properties in Bordeaux.

Over the centuries, the estate has continuously evolved, yet without abandoning its traditions. The name “La Gaffelière” refers to a local term for lepers ("gaffets"), who were believed to have once lived and been cared for on the property’s land.

Château La Gaffelière was recognized as Premier Grand Cru Classé B in the 1955 Classification of Saint-Émilion, a distinction it has maintained through successive revisions. The 20th and 21st centuries have seen significant investment in both the vineyard and the cellar. Under the leadership of Count Léo de Malet Roquefort and more recently his son Thomas de Malet Roquefort, the estate has embraced modern viticulture and precision winemaking while preserving its classical identity.

Region and Vineyards

Located just south of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, Château La Gaffelière sits in the so-called “golden triangle” between Château Ausone and Château Pavie. The estate covers 38 hectares, with 22 hectares classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé B. The vineyard benefits from a complex mosaic of terroirs: limestone plateau, clay-limestone slopes, and sandy-siliceous foothills.

This diversity allows for a precise expression of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the two primary grape varieties. The current plantings are composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, with vines averaging 33 years of age. Some parcels, especially those on the plateau, are planted on pure asteriated limestone, giving the wines their signature freshness and mineral tension.

Viticulture is conducted with sustainable practices and certification of High Environmental Value (HVE). The estate uses grass cover, hand-harvesting in small crates, and green harvesting, aiming for optimal ripeness and concentration while respecting the balance of the ecosystem.

Wine Range of Château La Gaffelière

The estate produces two wines:

• Château La Gaffelière (Grand Vin): This Premier Grand Cru Classé B represents the finest expression of the estate’s terroirs. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the wine is known for its finesse, aromatic purity, and aging potential. It combines the richness of Saint-Émilion’s right bank with the freshness of its limestone soils.
• Clos La Gaffelière: The second wine of the estate, made from younger vines or parcels not included in the grand vin. It offers a more approachable expression of the estate's style, accessible earlier in its evolution but still reflecting the house signature.

Winemaking is gravity-fed, avoiding pumping, and includes parcel-by-parcel vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. After alcoholic and malolactic fermentation (partially in barrels), the wines are aged for 14–16 months in 60% new French oak barrels.

Did you know?

Château La Gaffelière is one of the few estates in Saint-Émilion with both clay-limestone slopes and asteriated limestone plateau, which together contribute to its balance of richness and lift.

The Malet Roquefort family has managed the estate for over 400 years, and their continuity is a rarity even in Bordeaux. This deep-rooted connection to the land is reflected in the house’s philosophy: to craft wines that combine elegance, depth, and timeless character, vintage after vintage.