Château CANON-LA-GAFFELIÈRE
1er grand cru classé

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The 2018 vintage in the press:

La Revue du Vin de France (December 2022): 94/100 “The Neipperg estate has always shone on the limestone bedrock of Castillon. [...] Stephan Von Neipperg and his son Ludovic have now committed their estate to an eco-responsible approach. The wines are changing, new oak has been reduced, [...] The wines are gaining in precision and have never been so balanced, as is the case with the 2018 vintage”.

Vinous (A. Galloni - March 2021): 92/100 "The 2018 d'Aiguilhe offers up a compelling mélange of inky red/purplish fruit and plenty of structure to match. It is impressive in its peer group, but also needs quite a bit of time to be at its best. The 2018 is not quite as showy as it was en primeur, and yet its energy and depth are intriguing".

The 2016 vintage in the press:

Vinous (A. Galloni - December 2018): 92/100 "The 2016 d'Aiguilhe is absolutely delicious. Succulent, nuanced and inviting, the 2016 has so much to offer. Ripe cherry, plum, French oak, mocha, new leather and spice all flesh out effortlessly. Deep, generous and resonant, the 2016 captures all the best the vintage has to offer. Sweet, silky tannins add to the wine's considerable appeal. It would be nice to see a bit less overtness to the oak. The wine really does not need it. In 2016, d'Aiguilhe is very pretty."

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The 2022 vintage in the press:

Vinous (A. Galloni - January 2025): 95/100 "The 2022 Clos de l'Oratoire is a gorgeous, sensual wine. At the same time, it is quite the powerhouse. The 2022 is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, so a bit more Franc than was once the norm. That, along with earlier picking, has brought added aromatic intensity and structure. Rose petal, dried herbs, orange peel, mint and sage play off a core of dark red-toned fruit. Give this time."

The 2021 vintage in the press:

Vinous (A. Galloni - December 2023): 94/100 “The 2021 Clos de l'Oratoire is a gorgeous, dynamic wine. Energetic and brillant, the 2021 sizzles with tension. Bright acids and veins of tannin give the wine its vibrant personality. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and mocha abound. This is a very, very fine Clos de l'Oratoire.”

The 2020 vintage in the press:

Vinous (N. Martin - January 2024): 92/100 “The 2020 Clos de l'Oratoire has a crisp and pure bouquet with blackberry and raspberry fruit mixed with cedar and potpourri. A judicious dose of new oak adds complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and graphite-infused red fruit, with a linear, fresh and almost Left Bank finish. Excellent.”

La Revue du Vin de France (November 2023): 90/100 “Endowed with natural generosity, the wine is built on a charmingly coated material. It's a well-calibrated wine, driven with a certain precision, with a seductive envelope, right through to an allonge that assumes the richness of this 2020 vintage.”

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Vinous (N. Martin - January 2020): 91/100 "The 2016 Clos de l'Oratoire did not show well out of barrel but finally appears more knitted together. It has one of the most discreet aromatic profiles of the flight, featuring dark berry fruit with perfumed incense and iris, all very focused and harmonious. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. This feels bold and structured yet retains balance and delineation. It deserves a much higher score."

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The 2019 vintage in the press:

Vinous (N. Martin - January 2023): 93/100 “The 2019 Canon-La-Gaffelière is quite punchy and bold on the nose. Blackberry and raspberry fruit, cedar and mint emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins, quite plush yet cohesive, fanning out towards the velvety finish with a brush of white pepper on the aftertaste. One of the more approachable Saint-Emilion wines in this vintage”.

La Revue du Vin de France (September 2022): 95/100 “The discreet charm of this wine with its creamy tannins is exciting. The cru reveals itself at its best in dry, hot years thanks to the composition of its clays. The southern exposure is reflected in the wine's depth. Its pronounced black fruit is densely packed with tannin that remains fresh thanks to the Cabernet Franc massales. Still under the influence of wood, the wine's rich, well-coated texture and elegant structure are perfumed with a hint of smoke".

The 2021 vintage in the press:

La Revue du Vin de France (Guide 2025): 94/100 “A stylish, elegant 2021. It combines the breed of the terroir, the freshness of the vintage and the seductive touch of the winemaker”.

Vinous (A. Galloni - December 2023): 95/100 “The 2021 La Mondotte is a dense, potent beauty, with depths of black vherry, plum, gravel, scorched earth, leather, lavender and incense. In 2021, Mondotte is quite savory and brooding, a style with freshness and less opulence than most years. It's alos a wine that needs time. I imagine the 2021 will always be a pretty dark Saint-Emilion.”

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The 2016 vintage in the press:

Vinous (N. Martin - January 2020): 92/100 "The 2016 La Mondotte is open and generous on a nose intense black cherries, boysenberry, tobacco and cedar. With aeration, this becomes more refined and loses its initial boisterousness. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and plenty of sumptuousness, although I find it a little curt and abrupt on the finish, where I am seeking more persistence."