Château Le Gay 2014

Tasting Characteristics and Recommendations for Château Le Gay 2014

Tasting

Color

The color displays a deep purple hue with intense violet highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity, with notes of black fruits (black cherry, plum) alongside nuances of black truffle characteristic of the terroir. Hints of licorice and subtle vanilla notes imparted by aging complete this elegant bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its remarkable balance between concentration and finesse. Its silky texture and polished tannins provide a fine structure, while a lively acidity brings freshness and precision. Flavors of black fruit mingle with chocolatey and mineral notes, leading to a long, elegant finish.

Food and Wine Pairings

Château Le Gay 2014 pairs perfectly with red meat in sauce, roast game birds, or braised wild boar. It also matches beautifully with dishes featuring wild mushrooms or truffle.

Serving and Cellaring

Château Le Gay 2014 can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until around 2040. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature of 16-18°C.

A refined Pomerol with beautiful structure

The estate

Established in the 18th century on the prestigious Pomerol plateau in Bordeaux, Château Le Gay spans 12 hectares of clay-gravel soils. Owned by the Parent family since 2013, the estate is run by Henri Parent, with Florian Pesquier as winemaker and consultants Michel Rolland and Mikaël Laizet. The vineyard, composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, stands out for its parcel-by-parcel vinification entirely in barrels and aging in new barrels.

The vineyard

The Château Le Gay vineyard stretches across the Pomerol plateau, benefiting from an exceptional terroir of clay-limestone gravel enriched with iron oxides. The vines, averaging 40 years of age, are planted at high density and tended with meticulous care. This privileged location near the greatest growths of the Pomerol appellation allows for optimal expression of Merlot, the flagship grape variety of this prestigious appellation.

The vintage

The 2014 vintage in Bordeaux proved contrast-filled, with a wet start to the summer limiting yields. Fortunately, a generous Indian summer in September made it possible to reach optimal ripeness in the grapes, particularly favorable for Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Harvesting took place in good weather conditions, enabling the picking of concentrated, well-balanced grapes.

Vinification and aging

Château Le Gay 2014 marks an important milestone in the estate’s history with the implementation of vinification entirely in new barrels. The grapes are hand-harvested into small crates, with a double selection. Each parcel is vinified separately in barrel, ensuring maximum traceability and precision. Aging takes place over 18 to 20 months in new French oak barrels, promoting harmonious integration of the tannins.

Grape varieties

Merlot (90%)
Cabernet Franc (10%)