Château Canon la Gaffelière Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1979

This report summarisesthe information available on Château Canon la Gaffelière Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1979. Details of the estate, the vintage, the market value and the state of preservation of the bottles are presented.

1. Introduction: The Château Canon la Gaffelière wine estate

Château Canon la Gaffelière is a renowned wine estate in the Saint-Émilion Grand Cruappellation in Bordeaux . The estate is located at the foot of the hill south of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion . It has been owned by the von Neipperg family since 1971 . Under the management of Stephan von Neipperg, who took over the estate in 1983, considerable efforts were made to improve the quality and reputation of the house . In 2012, the château was finally upgraded to Premier Grand Cru Classé B of the official Saint-Émilion classification .

The estate's vineyards cover around 19.5 hectares . The terroir is characterised by clay-limestone and clay-sand soils , which are known for their good drainage and heat retention . The grape variety distribution in the vineyard is unusually balanced for the appellation and today consists of roughly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, supplemented by a smaller proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon . This composition gives the wines their typical elegance, complexity and structure . The Grand Vin is matured for 15 to 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels .

2. The 1979 vintage

In contrast to later, highly praised vintages such as 1982, 1989, 1990 or 2005 , the 1979 vintage is not listed in the available sources as one of the estate's top vintages . It dates from a time before Stephan von Neipperg initiated the extensive modernisation of the vineyard and cellar . The wine should therefore be regarded as a product of its time, reflecting the estate's more traditional approach. One merchant quotes an alcohol content of 13.00% vol. for this wine .

3. Market overview and current value

Prices for Château Canon la Gaffelière 1979 vary considerably depending on the merchant and, above all, on the condition of the bottle.

The price range is considerable. While one dealer offers the wine for €360 , other sources list prices between €75 and €90 for bottles with various signs of use . Auction proceeds from 2016 were the equivalent of around $50 . This discrepancy emphasises the importance of the condition and provenance of a bottle for pricing.

4. Condition and provenance

When buying a bottle as old as the Château Canon la Gaffelière 1979, the condition and storage history (provenance) are of decisive importance for the quality of the wine in the glass. The retailer's specifications show different levels of condition:

• Perfect condition: fill level, label and capsule are flawless. This indicates optimal storage .

• Good condition: The wine is in good condition, but may show slight signs of wear on the label .

• Damaged labels/capsules: This is common with wines of this age and does not usually affect the wine itself as long as the capsule and cork are intact .

• Signs of inspection:One bottle was labelled "Vintage on the cork, side of the capsule cut for expertise". This means that the cork has been checked for expert purposes, which can be an indicator of authenticity, but compromises the integrity of the capsule .

5. Summary

Château Canon la Gaffelière Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1979is a Bordeaux from a transitional period of the estate before it reached its current top position under Stephan von Neipperg. It represents a more traditional style. For collectors and connoisseurs, it offers the opportunity to taste an older wine from a now famous estate. Due to its age, the search for a bottle with an assured, good provenance and ideal fill level is crucial for a positive taste experience. Prices depend heavily on the state of preservation and vary accordingly.