Chateau La Gaffeliere 2020

A Premier Grand Cru Classé from Saint-Émilion combining power and precision

The property

Located at the southern entrance of the village of Saint-Émilion, the Château La Gaffelière, Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion, testifies to very ancient origins. Mosaics discovered during excavations have attested to the presence of the vine on the estate since Gallo-Roman times. Owned by the Malet Roquefort family for over three centuries and located in the "golden triangle" between the hills of Châteaux Pavie and Ausone, Château La Gaffelière embodies the excellence of the great red wines of Saint-Émilion.

The vineyard

The vineyard of Château La Gaffelière covers 22 hectares in Premier Grand Cru Classé, 19 of which are in production. This vineyard of Saint-Émilion is located on 3 different zones. Thus, we find the famous asteriated limestone plateau, the outcrops of Fronsadais clay Molasses or a more siliceous hillside. Certified High Environmental Value, the vineyard of Château La Gaffelière is managed using sustainable agriculture, favoring the gentlest intervention methods.

The vintage

An early vintage, 2020 is marked by rapid vine growth throughout the vegetative cycle, following a spring marked by heavy rain and mild temperatures. This significant rainfall leads to a rare intensity of mildew pressure and complicates vineyard work. Flowering still takes place homogeneously. While the hot and dry conditions of the summer accelerate the grape maturation process, they cause a slight loss of yield on some sandy plots due to water stress and a slowdown or even a blockage of maturities on the most clayey terroirs. The harvest begins about fifteen days ahead compared to a so-called "normal" year.

Vinification and aging

Following the harvest, the grapes are placed in a cold room for 12 hours. A rigorous optical sorting allows only the best quality berries to be kept, which are then subject to parcel vinification in gravity-filled, thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentation with pumping over and punching down. Malolactic fermentation in tanks (75%) and barrels (25%). Maceration for 30 days for the merlots and 32 days for the cabernet francs. The aging lasts 14 to 16 months in French oak barrels (60% new).

Blend

Château La Gaffelière 2020 is made from a blend of merlot (60%) and cabernet franc (40%).