-
Goedhuis, April 2006, Score: 90-92+
Slightly reticent on the nose, this wine's notable concentration and power surface on themid-palate after its initial attack. Should have a long life ahead. Produced from 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2013 - 2025+.
-
-
Robert Parker, June 2015, Score: 94
This fragrant, lush, seductive wine offers up plum, Christmas spices and crème de cassis. This dense garnet/purple wine also has loads of blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, terrific aromatics, a full-bodied mouthfeel, beautiful purity, texture, and a long, long finish. This beauty is approachable, if not drinkable already, and should continue to evolve for 10-15 years. Drink: 2015-2030
-
-
Robert Parker, April 2008, Score: 94
For opulence, decadence, and sexiness, this 2005 is hard to resist. One of the vintage's mostflamboyant efforts, it is a gorgeous blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. With a stunningly exotic nose of espresso roast, a juicy meat and herb concoction, spice box, chocolate, incense, and copious quantities of sweet, ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit, this full-throttle St.-Emilion exhibits good structure (because of the vintage's sound acid levels)and high, but velvety tannin. It is a brilliant effort from proprietor Stephan von Neipperg. I would not discount its aging potential as the 1990, which I thought would have a short aging curve, is still going strong at age 18. The 2005 should easily last 20-25 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030.
-
-
Robert Parker, April 2007, Score: 92-94
This is one of the strongest efforts from Canon-La-Gaffeliere since their spectacular 1990. Tiny yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare and a final blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon have resulted in a wine of exceptional complexity. Aromas of roasted herbs, spice box, sweet and sour cherries, licorice, incense, and black fruits are followed by a wine with tremendous opulence, full body, and moderately high but sweet tannin. Excellent acidity gives precision to this big, but impeccably well-balanced, pure 2005. A brilliant effort, it should be drinkable within 3-4 years of bottling, and will keep for two decades. Drink 2010-2027.
-
-
Robert Parker, April 2006, Score: 92-94
The qualitative equal of this estates top-notch 2000, 1998, and 1990, the 2005 Canon-La-Gaffeliere is a stunning effort from proprietor Stephan von Neipperg. A blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses complex, fragrant aromas of spice box, black currants, sweet cherries, and licorice. Dense, opulent, full-bodied, pure, and layered, it is an impressively endowed St.-Emilion that should evolve slowly, and last for 15 or more years. Drink: 2006 - 2021.
-
-
Jancis Robinson, April 2006, Score: 17.5
Very dark, blackish crimson. Mossy, savoury, autumn mulch aromas. Very energetic and opulent and well managed. Intense in terms of colour but lovely smooth, unforced texture. Cool finish. Excellently friendly vintage expression chock full of well-handled ripe fruit. Fine tannins emerge only on the finish. Long. Very clever winemaking. Drink 2012-27.
-
-
Wine Spectator, April 2006, Score: 95-100
This is very concentrated on the nose, with blackberry and violets. Full-bodied, with masses of tannins and bright fruit. It goes on and on and on. Exceptional.