Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere 2001

ANTONIO GALLONI: "Deep ruby-red. Captivating aromas of currant, mocha, minerals, smoked meat and tobacco. Sweet on entry, then suave and cedary in the middle, with a lightly herbal character adding complexity. Very harmonious wine. Last year I found this denser than the 2002, but today I find the 2002 more impressive in the context of its vintage. Von Neipperg ages this wine in all new barrels, with Taransaud and Darnajou his two most important sources, but Canon La Gaffeliere rarely comes across as particularly smoky-oaky as the barrels get a slow, medium toast using steam."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Very, very deep crimson. Much more appetising nose than Clos de l'Oratoire. Lovely, round, gentle and sensitive on the palate. Dancing. Very slightly grainy finish, but a delicate respecter of the vintage. Lively for the future."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "In the sweet spot with floral, earth, spice, black cherry, truffle and fresh herbs in the nose. On the palate, the wine is silky, round and polished, ending with fresh, sweet, ripe, black raspberry, cherry, cocoa and spice."

THE WINEADVOCATE: "Made in a structured, tannic, restrained style (representative of the vintage’s overall personality), this medium to full-bodied 2001 exhibits scents of espresso roast, cedar, chocolate, black currants, and cherries. With sweet but noticeable tannin, exceptional multilayered flavors, and excellent texture, elegance as well as purity, it will be at its finest between 2005-2013."

WINESPECTATOR: "Silky and charming, with perfumed juniper and tobacco details weaving around gently mulled cassis and black cherry flavors. The tobacco element blossoms through the finish, where some secondary notes emerge, but overall this stays very fresh.—Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Drink now through 2025. 4,275 cases made. — JM"