Château LA GAFFELIÈRE 1930
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. This shows whether this area is one of the pillars of the appellation.
The estate covers 25 hectares, including 22 hectares of vines, all in one piece, located between the hills of Ausone and Pavia. The vineyard, on clay-limestone soil on the hillsides, and slightly siliceous at the foot of the hill, is planted with vines with an average age of 40 years, and is facing south.
The harvest is manual, and the grapes undergo total destemming. Fermentation takes place after cold maceration. Winding and punching are performed. Malolactic fermentation also occurs, to reduce the acidity of the wine and thus soften it. Then comes the aging, in new barrels, for 16 to 18 months. The wine is glued to the egg white. Since 1985, La Gaffelière has regained the rank of 1er cru Classé. On tasting, the wine releases intense aromas of blackcurrant, leather and wood. On the palate, it reveals a beautiful concentration with long and fine tannins.