France · Bordeaux

Chateau La Gaffeliere

Chateau La Gaffeliere is a Premier Grand Cru Classe B estate in Saint-Emilion located at the foot of the Cotes below the limestone plateau, on ancient alluvial terraces adjacent to Canon-la-Gaffeliere and directly south of the village. The property has been in the de Malet Roquefort family for over three centuries, making it one of Bordeaux's oldest continuously family-owned classified estates. The vineyard covers 22 hectares planted to approximately 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon on a mix of clay-sand, sandy gravel, and ancient colluvial soils — a diverse terroir profile that contributes complexity. Winemaking was modernized significantly in the early 2000s under Alexandre de Malet Roquefort, who introduced lower yields, earlier harvesting in some plots, and greater sorting discipline. The 2005 vintage is the most frequently traded at auction and is generally regarded as the estate's modern reference, earning critical scores in the 93–96 range. La Gaffeliere's auction market reflects its solid Premier Grand Cru B standing: 294 lots averaging $108 per bottle, with a ceiling of $1,016 driven by exceptional vintages in pristine provenance. The estate was promoted within Saint-Emilion's hierarchical classification in 2022 alongside other upgrades, though classification politics have introduced some uncertainty about long-term rankings.