Chateau Le Gay 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "The richness and opulence to this attracts right away, backed by juicy flavors and full, chewy tannins. Hints of smoke and meat. Very structured."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Truffle, licorice, smoke, dark chocolate, violets, and black cherries on the nose. The palate is creamy, fresh, vibrant, and juicy, with a bright edge to the red fruits, dark chocolate, spice, and licorice nuances that linger on the mid-palate, through to the finish. The wine will require at least a few years of aging before it begins to really start to show its best. The score could rise as the wine develops. The wine blends 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV, 3.7 pH. Drink from 2029-2055."

WEINWISSER: "Bezauberndes Bouquet, Heidelbeerdrops, Veilchenduft und Brasil-Tabak, dahinter Schokopastillen und Holundersaft. Am satten geradlinigen Gaumen mit engmaschigem Tanninkorsett, feinspröder Textur, dunkler Mineralik, perfekt balancierter Rasse und durchtrainiertem Körper. Im konzentrierten langanhaltenden Finale blaubeerige Konturen, Kirschenkonfitüre und edle Cassiswürze."

VINUM: "Intensiv, tiefgründig, dunkelfruchtig, rauchige Noten, deutliche Mineralik; saftiger Auftakt, ungemein druckvoll, konzentriert, ausgezeichnete Tanninqualität, zeigt Eleganz und hat grosse Reserven. Deutlich frischer als im Vorjahr. Dürfte hervorragend reifen."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Red and black fruits, flowery incense, tobacco, and beautifully integrated spice oak all emerge from the 2023 Château Le Gay, a pure, medium to full-bodied, silky, incredibly elegant Pomerol. It plays in the livelier yet concentrated style of the vintage and has beautiful ripeness and polished, abundant tannins. It's going to benefit from just a few years of bottle age and have a broad drinking window. Tasted multiple times. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aging in new barrels. I’d put this up with the top Pomerols in the vintage."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Reife Zwetschken, dunkle Beeren, ein Hauch von kandierten Veilchen, frische Kirschen sind unterlegt. Saftig, ein Hauch von Fruchtsüße, elegant, feine Tannine, frisch strukturiert, mineralisch und anhaftend, zeigt Länge und Potenzial."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2023 Le Gay is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of Morello cherries, juicy blackberries, and boysenberries jump from the glass, followed by hints of cedar chest, sassafras, and clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate is lively, with bright red berry and floral layers framed by a firm, grainy texture and just enough freshness, finishing a touch woody at this youthful stage. The blend is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, with a yield of 42 hl/ha."

DECANTER: "Dark fruit, smoky and noticeable oak-derived aromas. The attack is broad, yet concentrated, even powerful, with a full-bodied texture showcasing plum and blackberry. An impressive wine but also noticeable tannin extraction that dries a bit. Let's see how it shows after the barrel ageing."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Open and spicy on the nose with ripe, red-fruit character. Full, round and opulent on the palate with firm, fine tannins. Has the matière, balance and potential to age. Drink 2030 – 2043"