Premier Grand Cru Classé

The 2016 Canon la Gaffeliere offers one of the most intense flavors I've come across from this Saint Emilion estate: mineral-rich red and black fruit, quite edgy, almost flinty in style. I love the focus of these flavors, which are directly wired to the olfactory senses. On the palate, it's very balanced and dominated by the Cabernet component. The black fruit is enhanced by some lovely graphite notes that give it a very left-bank personality. It's fresh, taut and elegant with a very persistent finish. Unlike other vintages of Canon la Gaffelière, I have a feeling this will last four to five years in bottle. As good as the 2015 was last year, it might even surpass it.