Clos La Gaffelière, St-Émilion Grand Cru, 2016

France, St-Émilion. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc.

The connection of the Malet Roquefort family with this region dates back to 1705. The family makes four wines and this is the second, a Grand Cru behind their flagship 1er Grand Cru. The estate has 32 hectares of vines on the limestone plateau across a number of different aspects and sites. Although this is the second wine, as in many famous estates in Bordeaux and beyond, it is given just as much attention and these second wines are often exceptionally good value. This is a good example.

Saint-Émilion has its own classification system outside the 1855 classification, and the 1er Grand Cru wines are of a comparable quality to the First Growths from the Médoc and Graves. The Merlot accounts for around 60% of all plantings across the 7,500 hectares.

A very well made, mature Claret at an exceptionally good price. The second wine of La Gaffelière, it was under the radar for a number of years, and has not always been ranked highly. However, just to prove the critics wrong, and how they missed this wine is a mystery, this delivers a well crafted glass of classic right-bank wine. 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. A very damp spring was followed by a very warm and dry during July and August, with a quick couple of storms during September, an India summer emerged, ripening the grapes to perfection. If you want a glass of very good, mature Claret at a sensible price, this ticks those boxes.

£33.00 - Berry’s

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