09 Canon La Gaffeliere has been uncorked and other ramblings

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:01 am

In the name of science....

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:08 am

This wine contains a mere 14% alcohol.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:12 am

The color is stunning, a beautiful black/purple that fades not to ruby but rather a slightly lighter purple.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:18 am

The alcohol is very evident up front. Flamboyant, volatile. Not passing any judgments after two sips. Working hard to rein this wild filly in!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:18 am

Heeya! Heeya! C'mon little filly!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:20 am

The nose is immense, it has that La Tour Carnet thing going on, times ten that is: tar, licorice, roasted herbs, very concentrated cassis and black cherries.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:22 am

It has a 30 second finish, the big question for me is whether the alcohol is going to give me a headache. Right now the alcohol is in no way hidden. It is right up front, saying, come on big boy, spank me. Spank me hard. Show me what you got, mother.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:29 am

If the '98 Monbousquet was like Kathleen Turner in Body Heat, this is like some new young porn star.
I so want to like this wine, I really do.
Gonna sit it down for a bit while I prepare the rib eye....

Haven't even yet begun to think about how this is going to hold up against the whoopie pie.

It's going to be like Godzilla meets King Kong....

It has a profound finish but the alcohol is huge... to my palate, anyway.

Let's see if things settle down.

pomilion · Post by **pomilion** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:33 am

I can see where this is headed... Hopefully the alcohol will die down. I'll be opening '05 CLG on x-mas eve, and 2010 CLG was one of the 3-4 best wines at last year's UGC tasting. Hope this turns around for you tonight.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:36 am

I really don't know pom, we shall see.
It clearly is a wine of distinction, very classy, a very impressive finish.
It's the alcohol that is giving me some concern.
I just popped and poured, let's see if it settles down.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:47 am

The rib eye is on the grill.

First chance I've had to chill out in about 2 months.

And with a big time St. Emilion no less!

robert goulet · Post by **robert goulet** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:58 am

The new panty dropper?

robert goulet · Post by **robert goulet** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:59 am

Jeff Leve gave this 100 points

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:07 am

Did he really?
I would think this would be a wine that would go well with a seasoned rib eye....

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:11 am

Its finish is definitely a hallmark of this wine for me.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:16 am

I also have a bottle of 2009 La Gaffeliere.
He Who shall remain Nameless rated that wine 95+, this one got only a straight 95.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:20 am

I don't know whether you were kidding about the JL100, BobbyG, but I can see where this would be the perfect JL wine.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:32 am

I just checked out the wine cellar insider, that seems like quite a site, if a bit overwhelming.
If i was reading his notes correctly, I think Jeff gave this 93 points twice and 94 points once.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:37 am

Geez there's a forum over there and everything, looks pretty impressive.
Where does the Wine Cellar Insider stand on that list DavidG?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:59 am

Maine matched up with France....

Je suis fier d'être un Franco-Americain.

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 3:08 am

This summer, I had the 2006 Château La Gaffelière, and found it and excellent to amazing wine. But in a slightly modern way.

This 2009 seem like the 2009: big, ripe, super fruity and alcoholic. Need probably 15 years but hey, those St-Émilion guys, they are working hard to give you a wine that fill you mouth now, or in 15 years...

Nic

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 3:12 am

I don't know, Nic. I just don't know. I guess this may "resolve" in 15 years. I just don't know. For me, it's that damned high alcohol that causes problems. Otherwise, this is a pretty stunning wine.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 3:35 am

Jim, I told you way back when you were first entertaining the idea of purchasing '09s that I didn't think they'd be your style. They're very ripe, alcoholic and on the low-acid side of the balance equation. The '10s should be closer to your sweet spot: fresher and more acidic, though they still might be too high-alcohol to really ring your chimes.

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 3:37 am

The 2006 is the best mix of 25 % traditionnal, and 75 % modern Bordeaux, but without the alcoholic heat.

A very niçe wine.

Nic

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 3:41 am

you did indeed say that David.
I guess a huge question is how/whether they will age.
this is without question a very well endowed wine.
For myself, I just can't get past the high alcohol.
But I can certainly see how this will appeal to many people.
It really is a style thing.
I am going to buy another bottle of this wine at $85 and uncork it in 15 years.

Nic: I really liked a lot about this wine tonight, and I still have about a quarter of a bottle to go.
But the up-front alcohol was just a bit too much for me.

But I still have a quarter of a bottle to go.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 4:21 am

I can't finish this bottle. It is just too much. I'm sorry. I really wanted to give it two thumbs up. It's just not my style. I tried everything to like it. I even pulled out the whoopie pie. It has enormous amounts of everything. The nose and finish are sublime. The finish was great. But the high alcohol is just too much for my palate. I have a headache. I have no doubt this appeals to many out there. This is a Parkerized wine. I'm not even going to rate it. If I liked this style I'd probably give it the 95 Parker gives it. Even as a style I don't like, I have to give it at least 90 points because it is clearly a wine of distinction, it is just not a "Bordeaux." In other words, an A for effort. It is Kalifornia. I'll give it 90 points. But I'll buy one more bottle at $85 and uncork it in 15 years and see if I have a different viewpoint. Tonight, though, very disappointed. I really expected to experience a 2009 epiphany. I did not.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 5:10 am

Lots of sediment in the end. I think I'm going to need to take three Advils before I hit the sack or I'm going to have a major headache when I take my father to the old fellow WWII vet barber tomorrow morning....

Rudi Finkler · Post by **Rudi Finkler** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 8:06 am

Nice report, Jim! I’m sure it is no surprise to you that I’m not surprised...

Today it’s not easy to find acceptable stuff on the shelves. But yesterday I was lucky enough to get a few bottles of 2009 Léoville Barton, 13% alcohol, 2007 Léoville Barton, 13%, 2009 Langoa-Barton, 13%, and 2007 Domaine de Chevalier, 13%. It seems that Anthony Barton remains an intrepid defender of the old school.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:23 pm

As I sit here the morning after trying to regain feeling in my jaw, Rudy, I think Jeff actually said it best previously:
It is a style preference.
The quality of this wine is definitely there, the question instead is whether one likes those opulent styled modern wines being produced.
As I mentioned in my crazy notes, the alcohol was just there from beginning to end. It never subsided.
That was a bit too much for me but I can definitely see how Parker or anyone else would like this wine because of the obviously high level of winemaking and the quality of the raw materials in the bottle.

Rudi Finkler · Post by **Rudi Finkler** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:25 pm

No question, a matter of style preference, Jim. But definitively not my style, and not the style of most traditionalists. I'm through with this stuff.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 5:35 pm

I just ordered another bottle of the 2009 Canon La Gaffeliere (along with those 2012 J.J. Prums), I'm going to hold it for 15 years and see how it tastes then!

Jeff Leve · Post by **Jeff Leve** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 5:41 pm

JimHow wrote:I just checked out the wine cellar insider, that seems like quite a site, if a bit overwhelming.
If i was reading his notes correctly, I think Jeff gave this 93 points twice and 94 points once.

Jim.. Thanks for the nice words! Is that the first time you have used the site? You are right, I really like what Neipperg is doing with Canon La Gaffeliere, as well as with all his other wines.

Chateau Vin · Post by **Chateau Vin** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 5:42 pm

Nice report jim...

I just received few splits of 2005 JJ Prums. Will open a bottle before christmas and see how these are faring...

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 5:47 pm

Great site, Jeff, I checked it out previously but I'm so overloaded with information at the office that I can rarely focus on one thing for very long.
Looks like you've put a lot of work into it! It looks like a real "go to" site for everything you need to know about Bordeaux!

Give us a report, CV, I'm guessing I'll be drinking some of those 2012 J.J. Prums, along with the '09 Canon La Gaffeliere, at the JimHow 70th Birthday Gala Week in about 15 years!

pomilion · Post by **pomilion** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 6:42 pm

JimHow wrote:The color is stunning, a beautiful black/purple that fades not to ruby but rather a slightly lighter purple.

The nose is immense, it has that La Tour Carnet thing going on, times ten that is: tar, licorice, roasted herbs, very concentrated cassis and black cherries.

It has a profound finish

It clearly is a wine of distinction, very classy, a very impressive finish.

this is a pretty stunning wine.

this is without question a very well endowed wine.

It has enormous amounts of everything. The nose and finish are sublime. The finish was great.

I can definitely see how Parker or anyone else would like this wine because of the obviously high level of winemaking and the quality of the raw materials in the bottle.

So it was pretty much just the alcohol burn that bothered you Jim? Otherwise it sounds like it was pretty sensational. Anything else about the nose or flavor profile not to your liking, or just the alcohol (admittedly a big issue for lots of folks)? No question CLG, in recent vintages particularly, is a fairly large-scaled, modern wine. It would be interesting to see what you think of 2010 CLG -- though the alcohol is even higher (14.5%), there's more acidity and tannin and the overall impression is fresher and lighter, at least based on my tastings at the UGC.

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 7:35 pm

BD:

Sounds like a very good, maybe great, Napa Cab?

Michael-P

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 7:53 pm

Pom: I would say that is accurate. It was definitely a delicious wine, I just felt the alcohol was so prevalent that, to my taste, it interfered with my enjoyment of the wine. But everything else was very lovely, I especially loved the lengthy finish. It was great with a fatty ribeye. I may be overly sensitive to the alcohol because I've been drinking so many staid left bankers. For some reason the high alcohol in wines like the 2009 Clos Lunelles and Joanin Becot didn't seem to bug me as much, although those have been more pop and pour "fun" wines for me. The alcohol in the Canon La Gaffeliere was more like that which I encountered in the (15%?) 2009 La Fleur de Bouard, where, again, a very well made wine with obviously quality stuffing was just so damned up front alcoholic. I know it is overboard to say it was "port-like," but there you go. But aside from the elephant-in-the-room alcohol level, there was nothing about the CLG, anyway, that would lead me to conclude that 2009 is a "poor" vintage but that it is rather an issue of style, the point that was being made by you, Jeff and David.

Michael: I found it very Napa, although I think the grape breakdown in the Canon La Gaffeliere must be pretty unique I'm assuming, what with the large percentages of merlot, cab franc, and cabernet sauvignon.

robert goulet · Post by **robert goulet** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 9:36 pm

Yes I was kidding....he actually gave it 100+.... jk

pomilion · Post by **pomilion** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 12:58 am

JimHow wrote: I may be overly sensitive to the alcohol because I've been drinking so many staid left bankers.

I don't dispute your main premise, but this is probably part of why the alcohol was so distracting and troublesome for you. I drink a decent amount of California red wine (syrah, pinot and zin as well as cabs) so something like CLG or Pavie, in comparison, can seem balanced and not overly alcoholic. I do have limits -- at the 2010 UGC, Troplong Mondot was so over the top and California-ish that I couldn't finish my small pour. It tasted closer to a Martinelli or Turley zin than bordeaux. In contrast, 2010 CLG was poised, restrained, fresh and elegant.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 2:15 am

My theory is that it has gotten so costly to get drunk on high end Bordeaux that the winemakers have countered by raising the alcohol content. If you adjust not only for dollar inflation but also for alcohol inflation, Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux looks not outrageously expensive when compared to Bordeaux from lighter times.