Chateau Canon-La-Gaffeliere 2009

Description

Produced from a prodigious vintage, Château Canon La Gaffelière 2009 is among the most beautiful revelations of the Saint-Émilion appellation on the Right Bank in the Bordeaux region. The ambition of this exceptional estate is to maintain an exceptional vineyard and respect its terroir so that future generations can enjoy it. Château Canon La Gaffelière is a Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion in 2012 and the estate makes a point of excluding the use of herbicides and pesticides. Because of this dedication to the environment, it earned its Organic Agriculture certification for the vintage 2014. True to the style that makes the property unique, the blend of Château Canon La Gaffelière 2009 consists of Merlot (55%) and Cabernet Franc (35%) supplemented by Cabernet Sauvignon (10%).

Ageing

In new oak barrels (90%) on the lees for 17 months. No fining or filtering

Estate

Located on the pied de côte (foot of the slope) south of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, Château Canon La Gaffelière's terroir consists of clay-limestone and clay-sand soil that is very permeable and particularly efficient at retaining heat.

The choice of grape varieties is rather atypical for the appellation in light of the soil: almost a perfect 50/50 divide between Merlot and Cabernet. The Cabernets ripen early and remarkably well on Canon La Gaffelière's warm soil, adding power and aromatic complexity to Merlot's opulence to create wines of natural elegance and finesse.

In keeping with vineyard management adapted to each plot, the vat room was designed to be able to ferment and house wine made from each one in order to fine tune the final blend. Fermentation takes place slowly and temperatures are kept under close control to bring out the best the grapes have to offer. The wine is aged on the lees to enhance its intrinsic qualities and each barrel is treated individually. Non-interventionist winemaking is practised and in such a way as to make the most of vintage character.

History

Members of the Franconian aristocracy with a long political and agricultural tradition, the Counts von Neipperg family line can be traced back to the 12th century. Representing some eight centuries of winegrowing and winemaking experience, today Count Stephan von Neipperg manages the 9 family-owned estates, 4 of which are in Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux: Château Canon La Gaffelière, La Mondotte, Clos de l’Oratoire, Château Peyreau.

Technical data

Harvest dates: 01/10 to 10/10/2009
Yield: 34 hl/ha
Fermentation: In wooden vats for 35 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing: In new oak barrels (90%) on the lees for 17 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling: Chateau-bottled in April 2011
Blend: 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vinification

In wooden vats for 35 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)

France

Bordeaux

Libournais

Saint-Emilion