Château La Fleur de Gay 2021

A rich, concentrated nose filled with blackcurrant, red and black cherry, tobacco and smoked earth scents – vividly aromatic. High acidity makes the mouth water with elements of grilled oak, bramble fruit and a hit of juicy salinity on the finish. Smooth and silky tannins support the fruit and give this a sleek and enjoyable feel. Nicely controlled and executed. Harvest on 28 September for Merlot and 1 October for Cabernet Franc – 95% and 5% of the blend respectively. Ageing in 65% new oak and 35% one-year-old barrels. Axel Marchal, consultant.

Tasted blind. Slightly weak ruby. Warm, ripe nose. Lots of juice and not much tannin, but acidity lurking in the background. I could enjoy this tonight, however. Just a slightly drying, even bitter, finish. (JR)

Medium-bodied, forward, soft, elegant, and fresh, the wine focuses on its refined, supple, sweet cherries, strawberries, raspberries, and a touch of chocolate on the nose and palate. This is not built around power; instead, the wine correctly focuses on its sweet, ripe red fruits and silkiness. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2024–2038.

Noticeably fuller and more fruit-driven, more open than its sister estate La Croix de Gay, La Fleur de Gay shows liqueur-like overtones on the nose, still youthfully delicate, very pure and fine. A silky, harmonious entry on the palate, full-bodied, round, red-fruited and nuanced. A superb, dense mid-palate with plenty of cherry-scented allure. On both sides, racy, silky tannins flow by with good momentum, accompanied by fresh acidity. Very fleshy and powerfully structured. A rich, juicy, full-bodied finish with good flesh and the generous Pomerol opulence one can rightly expect. A great, racy Fleur de Gay. Not the most opulent vintage, but by no means a lightweight. Very good concentration and consistency on the finish. The lower alcohol lends it more playfulness and clarity.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, production 5,500 bottles) Velvety, dense, complex, creamy bouquet of strawberry jelly, blackberries, pralines, fine nougat, mint, smoke. Tightly knit, creamy, multi-layered, fresh palate with finely creamy, powerful fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a concentrated, velvety structure, rich, powerful, sweet aromatics, and a very long, velvety finish with sweet echoes.

(95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, production 5,500 bottles) Silky, dense, complex, creamy bouquet; strawberry jelly, blackberries, pralines, fine nougat, mint, smoke. Tightly knit, creamy, multi-layered, fresh palate with finely creamy, intense fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a concentrated, velvety structure, varied, powerful, sweet aromatics, and a very long, velvety finish with sweet echoes. 19/20 2028 - 2055

Beautiful aromatics here, well worked and full of finesse. Silky texture, with lift through the core, although more austere than the last few years at La Fleur de Gay, with sour cherry notes alongside the raspberry coulis, but this is juicy and enjoyable. Harvest September 28 to October 1, 65% new oak, 2ha vineyard of gravel and clay, Axel Marchal consultant.

This wine benefits from good aeration, which helps release smoky, fruity aromas comparable to those of Pessac-Léognan. Delicate on the attack, flavorful through the mid-palate with a melting texture, it glides across the palate, slender, finishing aromatic and savory. A hint of new oak on the finish.