Surface 22 ha in one single plot /16 ha in production (40 acres)
Terroir Clay-limestone soil, slope and foot of the slope, directly south-facing
Average age of the vines 35 years
Grape varieties 80% Merlot et 20% Cabernet Franc
Density of plantation 5,500 à 9,600 vines per hectare
Yield 35 hl/ha
Vineyard management Double Guyot pruning - Grass cover crops in the rows - Manual de-leafing - Crop thinning - Environmentally-friendly methods The end of winter was dry and cold (February) with a substanstial water deficit in the soils. Then spring remained cool but wet (April) disrupting bud-break. Uneven vine shooting was visible on the same stock. Endly temperatures turned milder but heavy rains on early June disturbed the flowering and gave some shot berries (coulures). On July, hot days alternated with lower temperatures wich gave difficulties to the veraison. End of summer was more even, hot and dry on August, September was milder ; its showers intensified the ripeness. As the harvest approached, the grapes displayed good ripeness both in the skins and the tannins. by hands from October 4 to16, 2012 vibrating sorting tables No crusher – plot by plot vinification in small size temperature-controlled stainless steel vats filled up by gravity
Alcoholic fermentation with pump-overs and punching down
Malo-lactic fermentation 50% in vats, 50% in barrels
Ageing for 14 to 16 months, 50% new oak barrels 3 racking, finning with egg whites 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc

Tasting notes

At first, the taste of black fruits surprises in this vintage, with a fresher hint. The new plots of cabernet francs (20%) are probably the explanation. On the palate, we find a nice knit , silky, really on velvelt. Ageing is still on, however, a wine with a great finesse is already born, with power as the best vintages of Château La Gaffeliere