Château Le Gay 2023

Intense, profound, dark‑fruited, smoky notes, pronounced minerality; juicy attack, remarkably powerful, concentrated, excellent tannin quality, shows elegance and has great reserves. Clearly fresher than last year. Should age excellently.

Dark fruit, smoky and noticeable oak-derived aromas. The attack is broad, yet concentrated, even powerful, with a full-bodied texture showcasing plum and blackberry. An impressive wine but also noticeable tannin extraction that dries a bit. Let's see how it shows after the barrel ageing.

Cask sample. Open and spicy on the nose with ripe red-fruit character. Full, round and opulent on the palate with firm, fine tannins. Has the matière, balance and potential to age. (JL) 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.

The 2023 Le Gay is a gorgeous, sumptuous Pomerol. Copious dark fruit, mocha, chocolate, licorice, dried herbs and a kiss of French oak are all laced together. As always, Le Gay shows the riper side of the appellation, which is amplified by vinification in barrel. This should be stellar with a few more years in bottle.

Truffle, licorice, smoke, dark chocolate, violets, and black cherries on the nose. The palate is creamy, fresh, vibrant, and juicy, with a bright edge to the red fruits, dark chocolate, spice, and licorice nuances that linger from the mid-palate through the finish. The wine will require at least a few years of aging before it really begins to show its best. The score could rise as the wine develops. The wine blends 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV, 3.7 pH. Drink from 2029–2055. 94–96 pts.

Dark ruby, deep core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Ripe plums, dark berries, a hint of candied violets, with some fresh cherries in the background. Juicy, a touch of ripeness, elegant, fine tannins, freshly structured, mineral and persistent, shows good length and definite ageing potential.

Charming bouquet with blueberry drops, violet fragrance and Brazilian tobacco, followed by chocolate pastilles and elderberry juice. On the palate, full and linear, with a tightly knit tannic framework, finely austere texture, dark minerality, perfectly balanced verve and a well-toned body. Concentrated, long-lasting finish with blueberry contours, cherry jam and noble cassis spice.

Supple texture, campfire smoke and grilled liquorice, with leafy iris and peony florals. Plenty of charm, with blackberry and black cherry fruit, although the finish has a flash of heat. Vignobles Parent.

Score: 92–94. Small red and black berries (blackcurrant, blueberry, raspberry) mingle their tangy aromas in a generous, juicy bouquet, with floral top notes and spice-laden bass notes. The palate is very pure and delicate, as joyful as a children’s afternoon snack and as silky as a rose petal. Blue fruits take you by the hand and lead you to a velvety, peppery finish, structured by creamy yet taut tannins. A delight.

A lovely, gourmand nose—elegant, precise and true—both elongated and fleshy at once. It reveals notes of Boysenberry, small fleshy/dense fruits and, more subtly, crushed/fresh blackcurrant, alongside hints of infusion, an elegant dark edge, and a touch of tonka bean, toast/fresh coffee, discreet nuances of blueberry, Bourbon vanilla, spices and a subtle hint of cardamom. The palate is nicely fresh, fruity, indulgent, vibrant/pulpy, with delicate floral notes and a lovely three-dimensional feel. A pleasing softness and gourmand appeal. On the palate, the wine expresses notes of violet, vibrant Boysenberry, vibrant blue plum and, more lightly, juicy roasted red fruits, combined with touches of star anise, sweet blond tobacco, as well as a fine hint of chocolate and a fine hint of graphite. The tannins have a slight softness. Pulpy texture, finesse, and the purity and brightness of the fruit. A subtle, almost iodine-like hint appears on the finish/through the persistence.

Shows a steeped edge, with black tea and incense swirling around a core of gently warmed blackberry, boysenberry and plum compote flavors. Fleshy, with hints of ganache and singed anise on the finish giving a slightly exotic tilt that grows steadily in the glass. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2039. 1,635 cases made.