Jay Kline

9.2

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep purple/garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, mixed brambles, tobacco, purple flowers, graphite, dry organic earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or based blend), Merlot (or based blend) or Tempranillo (or based blend) from France, the United States or Spain. But the oak is French so unlikely to be from Spain and I think this leans more towards its structure so I’m taking this to France. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet-Sauvignon-based blend from France, from Bordeaux, from the Haut-Medoc, 2015. I’ll take it. Tasty stuff. Drink now through 2049. — 4 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This needed some air to open to reveal red & black fruits, menthol, sweet savory spice, earth, graphite & tobacco leaf. — 11 days ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Double decanted the night before. The 1998 pours a deep garnet purple with a opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous and imbued with an incredible perfume of ripe black cherry, black plum, purple flowers, pipe tobacco, cocoa, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is a wine in its prime and it’s a beauty. Drink now with some time for it to breathe before service and this should drink well through 2048. — 25 days ago

Jan de Weerd

9.3

Classic left bank Bordeaux. Well integrated rounded tannins leading the march surrounded with dark fruit and that unmistakable lead pencil. Was hoping for a little more layered complexity. — 2 days ago

Danny O'Brien

9.2

Really nice and fresh, all the notes you look for in a nice right bank Bordeaux with nothing off-putting in the mix. Would be a great one to pair with a meal — 10 days ago

Vino Joe

9.8

Wow. Wow and wow. This was amazing! It’s definitely still early on. I let this decant for 2.5 hours before the first sip. It was revved and ready by then and was stellar by hour 4+. Rich and deep but silky smooth. Currants and an earthy/smokey quality. Loved this! — 19 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Château Canon-La-Gaffelière 2023 – Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Overview
An immediately approachable yet confidently structured Saint-Émilion driven by Merlot 45% blend with Cabernet Franc 45% and Cabernet Sauvignon 10% as a support. Expressive dark fruit, polished tannins, and vibrant freshness combine to deliver a wine that feels energetic, juicy, and dangerously easy to drink while still carrying clear pedigree and depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, ripe raspberry, plum skin, violet, crushed limestone, sweet baking spice, cocoa nib, subtle graphite and fresh herbal lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with a silky, flowing entry, finely textured tannins, lively yet integrated acidity, supple mid-palate juiciness, and a clean, polished finish that glides effortlessly.

Food Pairings
Grilled duck breast, pork tenderloin, herb-crusted lamb, mushroom tagliatelle, aged Gouda, charcuterie boards.

Verdict
A beautifully tuned balance between accessibility and sophistication. The wine shows clarity of fruit, finesse of structure, and immediate pleasure without sacrificing complexity, a modern, confident Saint-Émilion expression.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is pure driving joy, confident lines through the corners but relaxed enough to enjoy the scenery. Slightly juicy, deliciously drinkable, and dangerously charming, it’s the kind of bottle that disappears faster than expected while still leaving a serious impression. — a month ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Drinking well right now, but with a lot of stuffing that will ease it into the future and very likely improve. Nose shows very intense cassis, a little mentholated. There’s also some of that classic Saint-Estephe cooling, wet-clay-infused earthy minerality. Intense and weighty, bit a little tightly-wound still in the mouth. Lots of tacky but soft tannin still embedded. Nice finish. Very nice value, as this property usually is. 9.1 for now but I think it will warrant a higher score in 5 years or so. — 15 days ago

Chris Wheaton

9.4

Always great to stop through Hong Kong which is kind of Wine Tourism at its best out of region…. Picked up this very youthful bottle to evaluate: saturated almost black/purple in the glass; nose somewhat mute at first but after a day or so all blackberry and plum; first sip almost painfully intense, great acidity and velvet tannins. Long haul wine and great but not outstanding. I’m more in line with NM than AG’s 100 points. — 17 days ago

Fabio Franchella

9.1

Really solid. 13 years old and still fresh. — 10 days ago

with Zollinger