| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Formerly owned by the same family as neighbour Château Lafleur, the 12 hectare Le Gay (10.5 in production) is now owned by the family of the late Catherine Péré-Vergé along with other Pomerol properties Montviel and la Violette. The vineyard is planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc with vines around 50 years old. It has been producing outstanding Pomerols in recent vintages. 100% micro-vinified in new oak. The young vines go into the 2nd label "Manoir de Gay"
The 2022 was picked from Setember 5th to 19th and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. The yield was only 24.5 hl/ha and production will be 22,000 bottles.
The 2022 Le Gay offers up aromas of rich cassis, menthol and toasty new oak, followed by a full-bodied, rich and rather muscular palate framed by sweet, liberally extracted tannins that assert themselves on the finish. While this remains quite a chunky, stylized wine, defined by its fermentation in new oak barriques, it is comparatively restrained for this estate in such an extreme vintage.
The 2022 Le Gay was picked 5-19 September and vinified in new oak barrels. This takes time to unfold on the nose: tertiary red berry fruit, smoke and truffle, moderate intensity with a light marine element. The palate is medium-bodied, with a slightly lactic texture on the entry, flecks of dark chocolate on the red fruit, gentle grip with quite a firm finish. It maybe just misses a bit of flair at the moment but I suspect it will come around with time. There is something sultry, atypically introspective about this Le Gay, hence my prudent score. 2030-2055
Bright purple in colour with a wild nose of sweet red berries, rosemary, mint and green chili, this has a unique aromatic profile. The same green chili tone is on the palate, which is led by slick cherry and apricot jame notes. Very glossy with seemless tannins, the texture is impressively round. A hedonists' wine with an unusual flavour profile.
A juicy and polished Le Gay with full body and tannins which are nicely melted into the wine. Dark berry, chocolate and spice character. Savory finish.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Le Gay swans out with fragrant notions of kirsch, blackberry pie, and baked plums plus hints of forest floor, iron ore, and mossy tree bark. The full-bodied palate is jam packed with black fruit preserves flavors, supported by velvety tannins and well-judged freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick.
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Not the deepest crimson but very sweet and alluring on the nose. Extremely fresh on the palate – this wine really dances to a 21st-century tune! Really very distinctive and vibrant with fine tannins insisting towards the dry but not drying end. Persistent already. I’m impressed by this, even if it’s in quite a different idiom from the old regime’s Le Gay. Should age well.
Drink 2027– 2043
