A Right Bank Treasure: La Gaffelière
St-Émilion is a magical place—one of the most stunning destinations in the Bordeaux region and a truly special place in the world to grow grapes. The limestone plateau surrounding the village is the birthplace of some of the world’s most compelling and age-worthy wines. While there’s an enduring image of early 2000s Right Bank winemaking that's all about extraction and power, today’s wines lean more toward a transparent expression of terroir. These are beautiful, finessed wines with a purity of texture, a thirst-quenching quality that begs for another glass, and a saline-tinged finish that speaks more to the vigor of the vines than to anything that happens in the cellar.
This is exactly what La Gaffelière achieves—in the shadow of their more famous neighbors, but with a similarly exacting approach. At K&L, we often point to the 2017 vintage as a turning point for the estate—a wine crafted primarily from the parcel adjoining Ausone, a standout in the vintage and one that defined the château’s potential. But it was in 2018 that this vision was fully realized. A warm vintage that especially favored the Right Bank, 2018 suited the exposure and microclimate of La Gaffelière perfectly. I wouldn’t hesitate to put it up against neighboring wines that command several times the price.
One of the many joys of the 2018 La Gaffelière, St. Emilion $89.99 99VN 97WA 97WE 96DC 95JS is how it embodies St-Émilion’s post-modern era. While nearby estates like Canon and Larcis-Ducasse might also be in the running for this title, La Gaffelière represents a pivotal moment in the region's evolution—from plush, extracted wines to focused, composed expressions that prioritize freshness and terroir. The fact that this transformation was achieved in a ripe, generous vintage like 2018 makes the wine all the more impressive.
What sets La Gaffelière apart is its ability to combine polish with soul. There’s a classical architecture to the wine—structured, finely grained tannins, subtle mineral tones, and an aromatic lift that seems to dance above the fruit. Yet it never feels forced or overly worked. It’s this restraint, this trust in the land and the vines, that places the estate firmly among the modern elite of Saint-Émilion.
As collectors begin to reassess the long-term aging potential and value of Saint-Émilion’s new wave, La Gaffelière stands out not just for its price-to-quality ratio, but for its consistency and integrity. With each passing vintage, they continue to refine their voice, offering wines that are both intellectually satisfying and emotionally resonant—a true benchmark for the future of the appellation. Sure, I also own some 2019 and 2020, and hope to have a bit of 2022 and 2023 in my cellar in time, but this 2018 started it all. To be able to offer it at such a compelling price is just one of the many things that bring us back to 2018 La Gaffelière again and again.
- Ryan Moses, K&L Bordeaux Buyer