Le Gay 2018

The 2018 Le Gay has a more reserved bouquet than expected, nothing wrong with that, since it is well defined with attractive scents of incense and peony emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, fleshy and ripe with a sensual, very pure finish that is an absolute joy. I look forward to re-tasting this Pomerol once in bottle. Drink 2023 - 2045.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Le Gay opens with fragrant notes of lavender, oolong tea, baked plums and blueberry compote leading to wafts of red roses, spice cake and fallen leaves. Full-bodied, concentrated and decadently fruited, it has a firm backbone of rounded tannins and lovely freshness lifting the perfumed fruit to a long finish.

A tight and dense red with depth of fruit and polished tannins that really impress at this stage. It’s naturally refined and complex with so much dark-berry, chocolate, cedar and hazelnut character. Great wine.

One of the highlights of the vintage, the 2018 Le Gay is fabulous. Crème de cassis, new leather, tobacco, minty and dried flowers all race out of the glass, but what impresses most is the wine's combination of fruit richness and vertical explosiveness. Black cherry, coffee, dried flowers, mint and lavender all soar. Le Gay is rich and concentrated in feel, and yet all the elements are wonderfully fused together. Tasted two times.

Barrel sample. Black core. Dark, ripe and luscious fruit on the nose. Blackberry and elderberry compote, full on. A touch charry on the palate but the tannins unexpectedly gentle and rounded. Not sure how well this will age but quite seductive in that ripe roundness. Not my favourite style of wine but could give pleasure if it is yours. (JH) 14.5%
Drink 2023-2028

Deep in colour with a violet hue, the nose here is peppery and floral, with black cherries, plums and toasty new oak coming through and giving an exotic, hedonistic impression to the wine. The palate is opulent in black fruit but chalky and rich in tannins, providing structure and balance. The acidity is fresh and adds a savoury, leafy element that adds wonderful freshness. The finish is bold and powerful, with the tannins still driving through in tandem with the fruit at this stage, suggesting that this will need a few years in bottle to show its best.

I loved the 2018 Château Le Gay from one of my go-to estates in Pomerol. The 2018 (a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc) has a lusty, sweet bouquet of pure crème de cassis and jammy blackberries intermixed with lots of spice and spring flower notes. Full-bodied, rounded, and flamboyantly textured on the palate, it stays perfectly balanced, has fabulous purity, and a great finish. It needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for 20-25 years or more.

(90 Merlot, 10 Cabernet Franc) Nice and plush on the mid-palate with some very ripe, smooth, creamy black fruit and a good use of oak, this is a blocky wine but it has a good flavour and the oak and tannin are under control.