The 2018 vintage is by definition a great wine year in Bordeaux, having offered certainly a small harvest in quantity but grandiose in quality. The beginning of the season was rather wet, but compensated by a magnificent and sunny summer, very beneficial to the evolution of the vine. The months of September and October allowed the berries to obtain concentration, color and aromatic richness.

Blend of the 2018 vintage: 85% Merlot, 42% Cabernet franc.

The robe is a deep dark color, almost black, dressed with purple highlights.

The nose displays purity and concentration, with notes of jammy black fruits, blackcurrant and cocoa, followed by violet and pepper.

The attack is precise, offering a striking wine by its freshness and its unctuous texture. Supported by a very fine tannic structure, it delivers flavors of small red fruits and spices, evolving with great freshness and density. Rising crescendo in power, it ends on a long and persistent finish.

Food and wine pairing:

Château La Gaffelière 2018 will be particularly appreciated with a pork filet mignon with port, a rack of lamb in a herb crust, veal paupiettes with a forestry sauce or a beef tournedos with mushrooms and green pepper.

For a pairing with cheese, choose uncooked pressed cheeses: Edam, Gouda, Saint-nectaire, morbier, Tomme de Savoie or Salers.

For dessert, the pairing will be sublime with a hazelnut praline dessert, a black forest or a Grand Cru chocolate mi-cuit.

Ageing potential and tasting:

Château La Gaffelière 2018 has a very nice aging potential, and deserves to wait between 10 and 15 years in the cellar to improve. Its peak will be reached between 2030 and 2035.

However, it lends itself wonderfully to tasting today. To do so, take care to place the bottle the night before in the serving room at room temperature. Open it and decant it ideally 4 to 5 hours before tasting.

The bottles will be kept in the cellar, protected from light, lying down, at an optimal hygrometric degree of 70%.