Château Vray Croix de Gay 2015

Solid, if a bit chunky in feel, with a mix of red and black currant notes backed by brambly grip. Notes of ganache and apple wood fill in. Offers a light anise echo and some freshness through the finish, so this might settle in with some cellaring. Best from 2020 through 2028. 900 cases made.

This estate’s 3.7ha of vineyards are split predominantly across two sites next to, respectively, Châteaux Lafleur and Trotanoy, at the tip of the gravelly plateau, with clay and deposits of iron. A blend of 85% Merlot with 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 is silky, beautifully balanced and loaded with black fruit – everything you could want for its relatively modest price tag. Gareth Birchley: Beginning to evolve. Black cherries. Lovely texture – super-silky. Medium-bodied but wonderfully balanced. Fine tannins. A crunchy, fresh finish. Vincenzo Arnese: Classical nose of stewed red fruits and integrated oak. The palate is elegant, very refined, with a slightly elevated finish. Good, intense fruit. Lots of potential. Arthur Coggill: Spicy and herbaceous. Blackcurrant leaf, clove, cedar and smoky plum. Gentle entry, supple and rounded. Acidity's in check. Finely milled tannins. Tastes simple but is very well crafted.

Complex aromas of dark fruits, mushrooms, orange peel and dried flowers follow through to a full body. Round and velvety tannins and a chewy, rich finish. A gorgeous young wine. Needs four or five years to soften. Drink in 2022 and onwards.

The 2015 Vray Croix de Gay is just as alluring from bottle as it was from barrel. Inky, powerful and explosive, the 2015 exudes richness in all of its dimensions. Blueberry jam, crème de cassis, licorice, menthol, spice and lavender form an exotic mélange of aromas and flavors, but it is the wine's balance and sense of proportion that are most impressive. Even with all of its intensity, the 2015 remains gracious and light on its feet for such a rich wine. This sumptuous, inviting Pomerol is a star in the making. Don't miss it.

Plush, polished and loaded with sweet, ripe dark and red cherries, plums, espresso, dark chocolate and licorice. The tannins are silky, the fruit is ripe and the finish serves up black cherry, plum and bitter chocolate. This is the best wine ever produced from the estate.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, delicate bright rim. Dark berry fruit underlay with candied orange zest, floral nuances, some nougat. Juicy, elegant, chocolaty, ripe tannins, persistent, has good development potential.

Dark garnet, fairly dense at the core, with a ruby rim. The bouquet shows dusty contours and thus initially feels a bit dry, with an underlying hint of wild berries. On the palate, initial Merlot chocolate notes, wild strawberries in a cooked form, pleasant finish. Comes across with a rather artisanal character.

Dark garnet, fairly dense at the core, ruby rim. The bouquet shows dusty contours and initially feels a bit dry, with an underlying hint of wild berries. On the palate, early Merlot chocolate notes, wild strawberries in a cooked form, pleasant finish. Comes across as rather artisanal in character.

Combining elegant tannins with depth, the 2015 stands out as one of the most successful vintages in the estate’s recent history. More balanced and delicate than powerful in style, it delivers vibrant fruit.

Intense nose, chocolate, spices. The wine is dense, with a hint of vegetal notes, and a spicy finish.

Garnet red with purplish highlights. The bouquet is restrained, a little closed for now. As the minutes pass, it reveals notes of licorice and dark fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry. Juicy, compact attack. Warm character on the palate. The wine has perfectly integrated tannins and a structure that lends a touch of class. Quite sun-kissed on the finish, yet the wine remains very appealing.