Canon la Gaffeliere

1999 $73.99 available
"Canon La Gaffeliere's opaque purple-colored 1999 is a strong effort for this vintage. It displays a sweet nose of pain grille, smoke, meats, graphite, blackberry, and cassis liqueur. The wine is full-bodied, deep, powerful, and rich, with sweet tannin and low acidity. This is a blockbuster effort for a delicate vintage such as 1999. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2016." 92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #140

1997 $99.99 limited
"This is one of the few 1997s that reminded me of how certain 1982s tasted at a similar age. It is an explosive, opulently-textured, knock-out wine that coats the palate with superb levels of flavor and glycerin. The saturated black/purple color is accompanied by evolved aromas and flavors of pain grille, smoke, licorice, olives, and blackberries/cassis. Unctuous in the mouth, with superb concentration, low acidity, and a blockbuster finish, this is a luxuriantly rich, decadent Canon-La-Gaffeliere that should drink well young and last for 12 or more years. Very impressive! Sadly, the 1997 production was tiny, with less than 35% of the harvest going into proprietor Stephan de Neipperg's grand vin." 90-92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #116

1996 $79.99 limited
"This is one of St.-Emilion's most impressively constituted and expressive wines. From its saturated purple color, to its soaring aromatics (pain grille, jammy black fruits, chocolate, roasted coffee, and smoke), this full-bodied, meaty, chewy, powerful wine is loaded with extract, sweet tannin for the vintage, and possesses a layered, multidimensional finish. It should continue to improve for a decade, and drink well for 15-20 years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020." 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #122
"One of the best St.-Emilions going this vintage. Lovely aromas of crushed berries, flowers and a touch of oak. Medium-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. Has a really good core of fruit. Best after 2000." The Wine Spectator 1/31/99

1995 $94.99 very limited
"A massive wine, with a cigar box, chocolatey, thick, black currant and cherry-scented nose, this full-bodied wine is crammed with layers of fruit, extract, glycerin, and alcohol. Spicy yet rich, with high tannin, the 1995 Canon-La-Gaffeliere will need a minimum of 5-6 years of cellaring. The finish is long and rich, and the tannin sweet rather than astringent. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020." 91 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #115
"One of the greatest wines ever produced by this estate. A wild and terrific red. Wonderful aromas of fruit, spices and chocolate (mole sauce!). Full-bodied and tannic, yet velvety and delightful. Masses of flavors on the finish. Best after 2001 but hard to resist now." 95 The Wine Spectator 1/31/98