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Le Gay 2005

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Franc

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Label

Tasting Notes

The 2005 Le Gay is a massive, masculine Pomerol, very much in the style of Gazin, but showing much more minerality, abundant blue and black fruits, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and loads of tannin in a youthful, backward style, even at age 10. Give this wine at least another 5-10 years of cellaring and drink it over the following quarter-century. Drink 2020 - 2045.

95+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (219), June 2015
93
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, February 2008

Tasted blind. Interesting, savoury nose. Then very fluid, fresh, super-fruity palate. Some inkiness. A pretty wine that is less sweet that most Pomerols. Good focus and energy.
Drink 2016-2034

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2017

Dark red-ruby. Plum, mocha, minerals and coffee on the nose. Supple, lush and sweet, with captivating flavors of raspberry, toffee, coffee, mocha and iron. Wonderfully pliant and appealing Pomerol, finishing with sweet, tongue-dusting tannins and excellent length. (A second bottle of roughly equal quality showed a more serious tannic spine and appeared to be in the process of shutting down.)

92
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

Modern in style, vanilla and dark fruit notes but undoubtedly has the depth and panache of a fine wine. Ripe, spicy, oak well absorbed, big tannic frame, overall balance. Good potential. Drink 2013-2025.

17.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2006

Came 34th out of 184 wines

16.87
-, Southwold Bordeaux Tasting, January 2009
Read more tasting notes...

Rated 99 points in an email newsletter, dated 13/10/09, emailed to subscribers. From a blind tasting of 2005's by Robert Parker.

99
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (newsletter), October 2009

The finest Le Gay produced since the post World War II era, the 2005 even eclipses the fabulous 1982 and 1989. This inky/purple-hued effort reflects the commitment of proprietress Catherine Pere-Verge. An extraordinary perfume of blueberries, blackberries, flowers, truffles, and a touch of steely minerality is followed by a massive wine of exceptional concentration, a multilayered texture, phenomenal purity, and a finish that lasts for nearly a minute. It is a massive, old style, pure, rich Pomerol that should only be purchased by patient connoisseurs as gratification will need to be deferred for at least a decade. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040+.

95+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (176), April 2008

The first top-notch effort under new owner, Catherine Pere-Verge, and winemaking guru, Michel Rolland, Le Gay’s 2005 is reminiscent of some of the estate’s monumental wines made in the post-World War II era (1947 and 1950). Its dense purple color precedes a luxurious bouquet of licorice, acacia flowers, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, and kirsch. Full-bodied with a fabulous texture as well as purity, it also possesses some lofty, but sweet tannins that are largely concealed by abundant extract, glycerin, and alcohol. This amazing wine represents a new reference point for Le Gay. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2035+.

94/96
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (170), April 2007

The 2005 is unquestionably the finest Le Gay since 1982, 1975, and perhaps even 1947. Kudos to consulting winemaker Michel Rolland and the estate’s relatively new proprietor, Catherine Pere-Verge, for pushing the envelope to this level. Reminiscent of an old style Le Gay or Lafleur, it boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as an exquisite perfume of raspberry and blueberry liqueur intermixed with flowers, kirsch, licorice, and earth. This dense, powerful, concentrated, full-bodied yet well-balanced and symmetrical Pomerol possesses a boatload of tannin, but it is largely concealed by the lofty alcohol, glycerin, and extract. A brilliant effort, it represents a new reference point for Le Gay. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2035.

94/96
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

Licorice and blackberry with mineral undertones. Full-bodied, with ultrasilky tannins and a long, caressing finish. All in finesse.

89/91
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2006

Very dark. Quite lifted nose. Lots of vibrant fruit and only sty drying tannins on the finish. Perhaps just little too forced?

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2009
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.