1970 Château La Gaffeliere - Saint-Émilion 1er Grand Cru Classé B - 2 Bottle (0.75L)

Château La Gaffelière is one of the oldest estates in the appellation (the first traces of vines date back to the Gallo-Roman era). The Malet-Roquefort family, which owns it, has been established in Saint-Emilion for four centuries. That shows how this domain is one of the pillars of the appellation. The estate covers 25 hectares, including 22 hectares of vineyards in one block, located between the hills of Ausone and Pavie. The vineyard, on clay-limestone soil on the slopes and slightly siliceous at the foot of the hill, is planted with vines with an average age of 40 years and faces full south. The harvest is manual, and the grapes are fully destemmed. Fermentation takes place after cold maceration. Remontage and pigeage are practiced. Malolactic fermentation also occurs, to reduce the wine’s acidity and thus soften it. Then comes the aging, in new barrels, for 16 to 18 months. The wine is fined with egg white. Since 1985, La Gaffelière has regained the rank of Premier Cru Classé.

About the vintage
Owned by the Malet Roquefort family since 1705, Château La Gaffelière has a 22-hectare vineyard ideally located in the golden triangle of Saint-Émilion. The particularity of the estate lies in the diversity of its terroirs: a limestone plateau, a clay-limestone hillside, and a siliceous foot of the slope follow one another and are worked plot by plot with great precision. The blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, two historic grape varieties of the right bank, faithfully reflects this diversity. The color is a deep red with garnet highlights. The nose offers aromas of black fruits, violet, and sweet spices. On the palate, the wine is balanced and structured, with a beautiful roundness brought by Merlot and a firm but fine tannic backbone provided by Cabernet Franc. The finish is long and persistent, bearing witness to the seriousness of a estate that for three centuries has pursued excellence and consistency.