If you love drinking wines from celebrated Bordeaux Châteaux but find it’s not always in your budget, there’s a simple solution—seek out second wines. Second wines are crafted by the same winemaker using similar practices, but they’re put out under a different label at a lower price. Today’s wine is the Second Wine of 1st Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion Château La Gaffelière.
The 94 point 2019 Clos La Gaffeliere Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé is an outstanding second label produced mainly from young vines. La Clos is harvested and produced according to the high standards set forth by the first label: pruning, cover, de-leafing, green harvest, and hand-picking. In the cellar, the same technical process sets the pace for successive stages of vinification.
With this second wine, you get all of the masterful winemaking that goes into the first label. Even the vines are treated exactly like the ones that make the first label wines because the goal is eventually for those vines to age and produce grapes for that first label. Château La Gaffeliere has been around long enough to understand that patient process.
It’s one of the oldest family-owned vineyards in the region dating back to the 1400s, although winemaking didn’t begin at the estate until the 17th century. By the 18th century, the Gothic-style château built a reputation as one of the finest producers in all of Saint-Emilion.
Today, the vineyards of this prestigious château are planted to 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Château La Gaffeliere is one the premier producers in Saint-Emilion whose wines display great energy and structure capable of aging 30+ years!
This 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc Bordeaux has “beautiful depth,” according to James Suckling who graced it with 94 points. Falstaff, along with 93 points, says it’s “juicy, round and approachable” and declares it a “versatile food accompaniment.”
This is truly a wine for pleasure that can be enjoyed in its youth along with 10 years of aging potential. It’s also a “great value” according to Vinous.
BHW is adding to that value by offering this beautiful Bordeaux at 35% off! If you want to add 1st Grand Cru Classe in Saint-Emilion to your cellar, this is an opportunity to do so that should not be missed!
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93 Point Vintage: 2013 Skyhook Red Blend Sonoma County
96 Point Vintage: 2019 Domaine Nico Histoire D'A Pinot Noir
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