Gaffeliere, Chateau La
Summary
Château La Gaffelière is a Premier Grand Cru Classé B estate in Saint-Émilion, owned by the Malet-Roquefort family since the 17th century, producing Merlot-dominant Bordeaux blends from 22 hectares of diverse limestone plateau and clay-limestone slope vineyards. The estate combines traditional manual harvesting and parcel-by-parcel vinification with measured modernization, maintaining a steadfast focus on expressing their distinctive limestone terroir through wines that honor Bordeaux's winemaking heritage.
Heritage & Leadership
Château La Gaffelière stands as one of Saint-Émilion's historic estates, classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé B in the Saint-Émilion classification system. The property has been in the continuous ownership of the Malet-Roquefort family since the 17th century, representing one of Bordeaux's longest-standing family ownerships. The estate's name derives from the Latin word "gaffet," referring to lepers who found refuge in this area during the Middle Ages.
Count Léo de Malet Roquefort currently leads the estate as the proprietor, continuing his family's stewardship of this Saint-Émilion property. In 2004, the estate brought on Stéphane Derenoncourt as consulting oenologist, marking a significant development in the château's technical direction. The property underwent substantial renovations to its winemaking facilities in the early 2000s, with further modernization of the cellars completed in 2013.
Vineyards & Wines
Château La Gaffelière encompasses 22 hectares of vineyards strategically positioned across Saint-Émilion's varied terroir. The estate benefits from a distinctive geological placement, with 13 hectares situated on the limestone plateau and 9 hectares on the côtes (slopes) of Saint-Émilion. This diversity of terroir contributes significantly to the complexity of the wines.
The vineyard composition consists of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, planted at densities of 8,000 to 9,000 vines per hectare. The average vine age stands at 35 years, with some parcels containing vines over 50 years old. The soils vary across the property, featuring asteriated limestone on the plateau and clay-limestone on the slopes, with clay subsoils providing water regulation during dry periods.
The estate produces approximately 80,000 bottles annually of its grand vin, Château La Gaffelière, and a second wine called Dame de Gaffelière. The grand vin typically displays the classic Saint-Émilion profile of red and black fruits, with notes of limestone minerality and structured tannins that allow for long aging potential.
Philosophy & Practice
At Château La Gaffelière, vineyard management follows traditional methods with careful adaptation to each vintage's conditions. Harvest occurs plot by plot, with manual picking in small crates to preserve berry integrity. The estate practices green harvesting and leaf thinning when necessary to ensure optimal ripening.
In the winery, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete vats, with each vineyard parcel vinified separately. Malolactic fermentation occurs in a combination of vats and barrels. The grand vin ages for 14-16 months in French oak barrels, with 50-60% new oak depending on the vintage characteristics.
The Malet-Roquefort family maintains a philosophy centered on expressing the distinctive limestone terroir of their Saint-Émilion property. This approach balances respect for traditional Bordeaux winemaking with selective implementation of modern techniques to enhance precision. The estate's position spanning both the plateau and slopes of Saint-Émilion remains central to their identity, allowing them to produce wines that reflect this geological diversity.