Château Le Gay - Pomerol 2016

La Revue du Vin de France

16-17 / 20

the6/6/2017

Délicieux pomerol ultra charmeur, tout en rondeur, avec une boule de fruit en bouche.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/10/2017

Bettane & Desseauve

96-97 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Puissant, ample et viril, belle chair profonde, raffiné et intense, généreux.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Le Gay is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc cropped at 27 hectoliters per hectare between 27 September and 14 October, matured in 100% new oak. The nose handles the new oak in stride with very pure, almost Côtes de Nuits-like red cherry and strawberry fruit, a patina of vanilla emanating from the wood. The palate is silky smooth on the entry with black cherry and blueberry fruit, a fine line of acidity, very polished in style with a gentle grip on the finish. Le Gay hit the high spots in the previous two vintages. I am not sure if in 2016 it quite reaches those levels, although it is still a sensual wine that should age with style over the next 15-20 years.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

This will need time to develop before the deeply-colored wine comes together and you can enjoy the layers of concentrated boysenberry, plum, black cherry, earth, truffle and flowers it has to offer. Structured to age with purity of fruit and ripe, firm tannins, this is going to reward cellaring. The wine was made from a blend of 90% old vine Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14% alcohol. The harvest took place from September 29 to October 14.

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

In a vintage in which so many wines are flashy, the 2016 Le Gay is sculpted, precise and full of nuance. Inky blue/purplish fruit, lavender, violet and licorice open up nicely, but it is the wine's translucence and sense of understatement that make it one of the most compellingly delicious Pomerols of the year. Michel Rolland consults. Tasted two times.

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

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

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

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.