Chateau Le Gay Pomerol 2015

Chateau Le Gay is a Pomerol property that takes its name from the lieu-dit where it is located called Le Gay. Towards the end of World War 1 Chateau Le Gay became the property of the Robin family and was owned by sisters Marie and Thérèse Robin who also owned the legendary estate of Chateau Lafleur.

The Robin sisters, Therese and Marie, owned and managed Chateau Le Gay for six decades and for much of that time the estate was managed by Jean Pierre Moueix, who produced and sold the wine.

Marie Robin passed away in 2001 and with no direct descendants to pass the estate to Chateau Le Gay was purchased by Catherine Pere-Verge in late, 2002.

in April 2013, the reins of the reborn Chateau Le Gay were passed to her son Henri Parent, who is now responsible for all of Catherine’s Pomerol empire, including Château La Violette,Château Tristan and Château Montviel in Pomerol, as well as Château La Gravière in Lalande de Pomerol.

They also own Château Lafleur. Le Gay consists of 9 hectares of 40-year-old vines planted just to the north of the Pomerol plateau.

Made from near-miniscule yields of just 15-20 hectolitres per hectare, Chateau Le Gay’s wines which is a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc are concentrated, deeply flavoured and provide the rich, opulent texture one would expect from a solid Pomerol.

It certainly stands up to its illustrious neighbours – Domaine de l’Eglise, Chateau Gazin and Chateau Lafleur-Petrus at a much more affordable price.

Awards

One of the best Le Gays in years. Full-bodied and polished with superfine tannins. Layered. Goes on for minutes.

99/100 James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, 

Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2016 Le Gay has a rock star nose of flamboyant Black Forest cake, crushed redcurrants and lilacs scents with underlying nuances of yeast extract, wood smoke, iron ore and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate truly struts its stuff with generous black and red fruits and a fantastic line of super ripe tannins, building to a very long, seductively perfumed finish.

95/100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 30 November 2018

Very expressive, this nearly gushes with warm blueberry, plum and blackberry reduction notes while chocolate and melted licorice flavors fill in the background. Has fruit to burn, but might just be a bit shy on spine for the longer haul.—J.M.

95/100 Wine Spectator - The Wine Spectator (James Molesworth)

Very dark crimson. Very extreme and sweet and concentrated. Not a good example.

16/20 - Jancis Robinson - jancisrobinson.com