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Le Gay 2018

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Franc

Formerly owned by the same family as neighbour Chateau Lafleur, the 6.5 hectare Le Gay is now owned by the family of the late Catherine Péré-Vergé along with other Pomerol properties Montviel and la Violette. The vineyard is planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc with vines around 50 years old. It has been producing outstanding Pomerols in recent vintages. The 2018 yield was 35 hl/ha picked from 19th September to October 3rd. Double-sorted by bunch and single berry. 100% micro-vinified in new oak. 14.5 alcohol. Production 20,000 bottles.

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Label

Tasting Notes

Aromas of plums, violets and mushrooms with earthy notes. Fleshy and succulent texture to the full body with round, firm tannins and a salivating, savory finish. Very persistent. Opulent and reserved at the same time. Contrastive wine. Drink after 2025.

97
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2021

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Le Gay has a beautifully perfumed nose of lavender essence, chocolate-covered cherries and preserved plums, leading to a fragrant undercurrent of kirsch, licorice and fertile loam. The concentrated, full-bodied palate (15% alcohol) delivers bold, black fruit flavors with compelling red berry sparks and a plush texture, finishing long with just enough freshness. 2023 - 2045

95
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (End of Mar), March 2021

Tasted blind. Lovely combination of richness and freshness – all perfectly balanced. Tannins well mastered. Very long. 15%
Drink 2027 – 2045

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2022

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

16
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2019

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.

93+
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, April 2019

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.

95/97
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, May 2019

(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.

16.5+
Matthew Jukes, MatthewJukes.com, April 2019
Read more tasting notes...

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.

97/98
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2019

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.

94/96
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (April 2019), April 2019
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.