93-95

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2023 Le Gay is intensely aromatic, floral and quite pretty. Crushed flowers, spice, mint, herbs, licorice and tobacco meld into a core of dark red/purplish berry fruit. All the elements are very nicely balanced in this stylish, mid-weight Pomerol from the Parent family. The 2023 is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc vinified entirely in 100% new French oak barrels. Élevage is projected to be 14 months, about 2 months shorter than normal. Tasted two times. 04/2024

0

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2023 Le Gay takes time to coalesce on the nose. Surprisingly, there is a very slight vegetal touch, hints of bell pepper, perhaps via some Cabernet Franc in the blend? The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannins, quite fleshy with what feels like a candied finish, but there is jarring leafiness that mars the finish. I am a huge fan of Le Gay as my scores for the 2019 and 2020 testify. But having tasted this on three separate occasions, I'm wondering whether a parcel did not quite reach phenolic ripeness? 04/2024

93-95

Jeb Dunnuck

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. 05/2024

95

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Il s'agit du millésime le plus réussi que je connaisse sur cette propriété derrière le 2022. Voilà qui laisse augurer une montée qualitative dans les prochaines années (voir chronique 349). Belle couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, au fruité bien mûr. Moelleux dès l'entrée en bouche, accompagné sans cesse d'un toucher raffiné et d'une nuance truffée, ce vin gagne du gras dans le dernier tiers du palais. Il s'achève aromatique, long, complet et superbe. Assemblage : 95 % merlot, 5 % cabernet franc. Degré d'alcool : 14° - pH : 3,75. Rendement : 42 hl/ha. 04/2024

96-97

James Suckling

James Suckling

Very attractive center-palate with blackberry fruit, a hint of chocolate and a minerally, terra-cotta undertone. Medium-bodied, fresh and racy. Shows tension and clarity. It grows on the finish with muscular yet fine tannins. May be better than 2022. 04/2024