2016 Chateau le Gay

Merlot

France / Bordeaux / Libournais  / Pomerol

$160
JD 94
RP 95
V 94
Size:
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2016 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 94

Jeb Dunnuck

(Rating 94+) As with the La Violette, the 2016 Château Le Gay shows a slightly more elegant, structured style yet still packs rocking levels of fruit and texture. Mulled dark fruits, new saddle leather, camphor, and tobacco all give way to a full-bodied Pomerol that has building tannins, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It’s still holding things close to its vest, and while I miss some of the sheer opulence found in vintages such as 2005, 2009, and 2010, this is still going to be brilliant. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and it should shine for two decades or more. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Tasting date: February 28, 2019. Drinking window: 2023-2043.
RP 95

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 95+) Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Le Gay has a rock star nose of flamboyant Black Forest cake, crushed redcurrants and lilacs scents with underlying nuances of yeast extract, wood smoke, iron ore and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate truly struts its stuff with generous black and red fruits and a fantastic line of super ripe tannins, building to a very long, seductively perfumed finish. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. Issue date: November 30, 2018. Drinking window: 2021-2045.
V 94

Vinous

The 2016 Le Gay is terrific. Rich, explosive and vertical in feel, the 2016 is a wine of pedigree and real class. Inky blue and purplish fruit, licorice, lavender all race across the palate. From bottle, Le Gay is more a wine of subtlety and vibrancy than pure power. As good as it is, my impression today is that the fruit is a bit dried out. I liked the 2016 more from barrel. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: December 2018. Drinking window: 2024 - 2036.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS.

Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.

Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.

Packaging & Warm Weather Shipping

To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers with gel packs when necessary. During warmer months, we recommend selecting Next Day Air service. If Ground shipping is selected during high temperatures, a signed waiver may be required to release us from liability due to heat exposure.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.

Weather Holds & Free Storage

In periods of extreme weather, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safe conditions return. If you request immediate shipment during such periods, you must confirm in writing and acknowledge that you waive any condition guarantees.

We also offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the “Hold for Weather” option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.

Insurance

We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, per carrier terms and conditions.

Adult Signature Required

All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, or failed delivery attempts.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer. If a package is delayed, returned, or misdelivered due to incorrect shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if re-shipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.

States We Ship To

We ship to the following U.S. states:

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), Wyoming (WY)

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International Shipping

We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
JD 94

Jeb Dunnuck

(Rating 94+) As with the La Violette, the 2016 Château Le Gay shows a slightly more elegant, structured style yet still packs rocking levels of fruit and texture. Mulled dark fruits, new saddle leather, camphor, and tobacco all give way to a full-bodied Pomerol that has building tannins, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It’s still holding things close to its vest, and while I miss some of the sheer opulence found in vintages such as 2005, 2009, and 2010, this is still going to be brilliant. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and it should shine for two decades or more. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Tasting date: February 28, 2019. Drinking window: 2023-2043.
RP 95

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 95+) Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Le Gay has a rock star nose of flamboyant Black Forest cake, crushed redcurrants and lilacs scents with underlying nuances of yeast extract, wood smoke, iron ore and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate truly struts its stuff with generous black and red fruits and a fantastic line of super ripe tannins, building to a very long, seductively perfumed finish. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. Issue date: November 30, 2018. Drinking window: 2021-2045.
V 94

Vinous

The 2016 Le Gay is terrific. Rich, explosive and vertical in feel, the 2016 is a wine of pedigree and real class. Inky blue and purplish fruit, licorice, lavender all race across the palate. From bottle, Le Gay is more a wine of subtlety and vibrancy than pure power. As good as it is, my impression today is that the fruit is a bit dried out. I liked the 2016 more from barrel. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: December 2018. Drinking window: 2024 - 2036.

2016 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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