2018 Chateau le Gay

Merlot

France / Bordeaux / Libournais / Pomerol

$155
JD 97
RP 95
V 94
Size:
Quantity:

2018 Chateau le Gay, Pomerol, France

TERROIR The property spreads over 10.5 hectares in one unique holding. The clay and gravel soils of the Pomerol plateau.

GRAPE VARIETY PROPORTION 10 % of Cabernet franc, that brings roundness, suppleness and fruit, 90 % of Merlot that gives finesse, body and fruit. Age of vines: 40 years on average, the young vines planted in 2006 produce Le Manoir de Gay.

VINEYARD WORK Pruning adapted to each vinestock, de-budding and green harvesting on the young vines. Leaf thinning in two phases.

VINIFICATION Château LE GAY: Hand-picked harvest in small cartons, double sorting table before de-stemming then sorted berry-by-berry, cellar; Micro-vinification in new oak barrels with a long period of cold maceration.

BARREL AGEING The same French oak barrels used for Micro-vinification will house the wine during 18 months for the malo-lactic fermentation and ageing.

PRODUCTION Château LE GAY : 20.000 bottles (based on a yield of 25 HL/Ha).

« Pomerol has become a myth. This small Bordeaux appellation, unbothered by the classifications, unknown only a half century ago, has revealed itself to have a formidable potential. Its reigning grape variety, the Merlot, produces its full expression and in Pomerol, for the savvy, one speaks of the plateau, saint of saints where we find Le Gay amongst the most prestigious of crus ». MICHEL ROLLAND

JD 97

Jeb Dunnuck

From one of my favorite estates in Pomerol, the 2018 Château Le Gay knocks it out of the park and has that classic Pomerol mix of sexy opulence paired with an incredible sense of finesse. Offering an already complex bouquet of crème de cassis, black cherries, white truffle, camphor, tobacco, and acacia flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, expansive texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. I'd be thrilled with bottles in the cellar. It's going to put a smile on any wine lover's face over the coming 20-25 years. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Tasting date: March 11, 2021. Drinking window: 2021-2046.
RP 95

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Le Gay has a beautifully perfumed nose of lavender essence, chocolate-covered cherries and preserved plums, leading to a fragrant undercurrent of kirsch, licorice and fertile loam. The concentrated, full-bodied palate (15% alcohol) delivers bold, black fruit flavors with compelling red berry sparks and a plush texture, finishing long with just enough freshness. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. Issue date: March 31, 2021. Drinking window: 2023-2045.
V 94

Vinous

(Rating 94+) The 2018 Le Gay is unusually reticent today. Lavender, rose petal, mint, blood orange and crushed red berry fruit emerge over time. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2018 packs serious punch. It is one of more sensual wines of the vintage in Pomerol, but readers will have to be patient, as the 2018 is in no mood to show its cards just yet. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: March 2021. Drinking window: 2024 - 2048.

For INTERNATIONAL shipping, click HERE.

We ship within the United States to:

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY.

FREE SHIPPING INSURANCE: We provide FREE carrier insurance for lost or damaged shipments (per carrier terms and conditions.)

FREE WINE STORAGE: We provide FREE 6 Months wine cellar storage from date of purchase. Please choose this option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping for a later date.

SHIPPING: During warm summer weather, we recommend to only ship within the United States with Same Day or Next Day Air service to protect the wines from environmental damage. If you would like to waive this protection by shipping Ground, we will request a waiver be signed.

PACKAGING: Our premium wines need optimal temperature consistency, therefore are packaged in EPS foam shippers with gel pack (when needed) and shipped only during ideal weather temperatures.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, wine bottles will be removed from case and shipped inside a foam shipper box for safety (unless otherwise requested). The wooden case will be shipped separately at Ground service. If faster service is necessary please contact us.

WEATHER HOLD: In adverse temperature conditions, we reserve the right to withhold shipment until ideal temperatures return unless we receive explicit instructions via email to release the wines, voiding any guarantee. We will contact you if a hold is necessary.

FULFILLMENT: Shipments are via UPS.

  • Orders received Monday - Thursday before 2:00 p.m. will typically ship the same day.
  • Orders received Thursday 2:00 p.m. ~ Sunday will ship on Monday.

DELIVERY:

  • Same Day service within Los Angeles Metro area may be available if order is placed before noon, but not guaranteed. Please contact us directly at (626)714-7006 to facilitate expedited service.
  • During extreme temperatures, all shipments are recommended for Next Day Air.

Adult Signature: By law, all shipments of alcohol must be received and authorized by an adult. Our delivery carriers will not release packages without an adult signature and additional charges may be incurred if the package requires withholding or redirection.

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We ship within the United States to: Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), and Wyoming (WY).

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
JD 97

Jeb Dunnuck

From one of my favorite estates in Pomerol, the 2018 Château Le Gay knocks it out of the park and has that classic Pomerol mix of sexy opulence paired with an incredible sense of finesse. Offering an already complex bouquet of crème de cassis, black cherries, white truffle, camphor, tobacco, and acacia flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, expansive texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. I'd be thrilled with bottles in the cellar. It's going to put a smile on any wine lover's face over the coming 20-25 years. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Tasting date: March 11, 2021. Drinking window: 2021-2046.
RP 95

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Le Gay has a beautifully perfumed nose of lavender essence, chocolate-covered cherries and preserved plums, leading to a fragrant undercurrent of kirsch, licorice and fertile loam. The concentrated, full-bodied palate (15% alcohol) delivers bold, black fruit flavors with compelling red berry sparks and a plush texture, finishing long with just enough freshness. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. Issue date: March 31, 2021. Drinking window: 2023-2045.
V 94

Vinous

(Rating 94+) The 2018 Le Gay is unusually reticent today. Lavender, rose petal, mint, blood orange and crushed red berry fruit emerge over time. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2018 packs serious punch. It is one of more sensual wines of the vintage in Pomerol, but readers will have to be patient, as the 2018 is in no mood to show its cards just yet. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: March 2021. Drinking window: 2024 - 2048.

2018 Chateau le Gay, Pomerol, France

TERROIR The property spreads over 10.5 hectares in one unique holding. The clay and gravel soils of the Pomerol plateau.

GRAPE VARIETY PROPORTION 10 % of Cabernet franc, that brings roundness, suppleness and fruit, 90 % of Merlot that gives finesse, body and fruit. Age of vines: 40 years on average, the young vines planted in 2006 produce Le Manoir de Gay.

VINEYARD WORK Pruning adapted to each vinestock, de-budding and green harvesting on the young vines. Leaf thinning in two phases.

VINIFICATION Château LE GAY: Hand-picked harvest in small cartons, double sorting table before de-stemming then sorted berry-by-berry, cellar; Micro-vinification in new oak barrels with a long period of cold maceration.

BARREL AGEING The same French oak barrels used for Micro-vinification will house the wine during 18 months for the malo-lactic fermentation and ageing.

PRODUCTION Château LE GAY : 20.000 bottles (based on a yield of 25 HL/Ha).

« Pomerol has become a myth. This small Bordeaux appellation, unbothered by the classifications, unknown only a half century ago, has revealed itself to have a formidable potential. Its reigning grape variety, the Merlot, produces its full expression and in Pomerol, for the savvy, one speaks of the plateau, saint of saints where we find Le Gay amongst the most prestigious of crus ». MICHEL ROLLAND

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