| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2010 Le Gay is performing sensationally, even better than my wildly enthusiastic tasting notes from barrel might have predicted. Inky opaque purple, and presenting a formidable and foreboding nose of camphor, black truffles, graphite, blueberries and blackberries as well as hints of smoked meats and floral nuances. Just about everything seems to be present in this smorgasbord of aromatics delights. The wine hits the palate with power, richness and purity, full-bodied texture, and enormous intensity, and I was somewhat shocked at the natural alcohol. In a vintage that routinely hit 14.5 to 15% for the Merlot-dominated wines, it was only 13.5% at Le Gay. The final blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. This wine needs at least 8-10 years of cellaring, based on its masculinity and structure, and should easily eclipse 20-40 years in a good cellar.
Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Château Le Gay is one of the best wines of 2010, a testament to the late Catherine Pere-Verge. It is very elegant with beautifully interwoven oak furnishing the seamless aromatic profile: pure blackberry and raspberry fruit mixed with a little truffle and tobacco developing later. The palate is medium-bodied with an understated entry. It feels devastatingly silky and smooth in the mouth with well judged acidity and a pure, sensual lilting finish that knows that it does not have to try that hard. Tasted January 2014.
Feminine violet nose with beautiful polished purple fruit, vanilla and some Seville orange. Dense and full-bodied on the palate with dancing acidity and soft fine tannins. Very pleasant already now. So delicious. Give it time. Try after 2016.
Dark crimson. Rich and racy. Lively and delivers lots of pleasure. Tannins are well hidden by pretty fruit. A very satisfying whole that could already be enjoyed even if it is not absolutely stuffed with promise. Complete with a neat finish. Just a slightly warm note on the end. QGV 14.5%
Drink 2018 – 2038
Reserved aromatically but palate elegant. Purity of fruit, balancing acidity and fine, ripe tannins. Drink 2017-2028.
The 2010 Le Gay is another extraordinary achievement from proprietoress Catherine Pere-Verge, who purchased this estate in 2004. A tiny production of around 1,300 cases achieved 13.5% natural alcohol and the final blend was 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. An inky/blue/purple color is followed by a distinctive perfume of liqueur of rocks, blueberries, blackberries, truffles and a subtle hint of oak. Extremely tannic, full-bodied, structured, masculine and backward with abundant minerality as well as ferocious extract and intensity, this 2010 requires at least a decade or cellaring. It should keep for three decades or more.
Tasted at the property, the Chateau Le Gay is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc matured in 85-90% new oak. The bouquet is conservative, strict and compelling - really taut and fresh, unfurling seductively with fleeting glimpses of briary, blackberry leaf and seashells. It expresses its terroir beautifully. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, edgy tannins, brilliant focus and sense of symmetry with captivating minerality towards the finish. It just seems to come alive in the mouth. This is a profound Pomerol that perhaps recalls the legendary post-war wines. Tasted November 2012.
Tasted at the chateau and the Syndicat, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, cropped 3rd to 6th October, the Le Gay 2010 has a lifted, pure bouquet of dark cherries, a touch of cassis, crushed violets and a hint of blueberry. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins lending this a masculine texture. It feels as if there is more than 10% Cabernet Franc although that will be due to its ripeness. Very focused, a great sense of tension with a vibrant, edgy finish, this is a fabulous Le Gay. Drink 2017-2030+ Tasted March 2011.
A beautiful solid core of ripe fruit, with coffee and light vanilla. Tobacco too. Full and dense, with polished tannins and bright acidity
Mid crimson. Extreme limit of ripeness. With attractive sweetness and freshness. Racy and polished. There is definitely enough freshness to keep this appetising. Unctuous with a strong line of terroir chew. Long. Another sample tasted open not blind seemed a little bit thick and Argentine but I hereby give it the beneft of the doubt.
