Le Gay 2015 (750ML)

97 WCI / 95 JD / 95-96 JS / 94-96 WA / 93-96 VM / 17+ JR

A deep, jewel of a color, this wine is filled with black plum liqueur, flowers, black cherry and fig aromatics. Opulent, sexy and with depth of character, like the ultimate first date, it’s ripe with tremendous potential for a long-term pleasure. With tannins as velvety as the thighs of a virgin bride, there is an expressive, sensual, hedonistic texture awash with dense, ripe plums, chocolate, truffle and caramel covered nuts in the finish. The wine was made from a blend of 90% old vine Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.5% ABV with a pH of 3.7. The harvest took place from September 27 to October 8. The Grand Vin was made from a whopping 50% of the harvest, so it's going to be hard to find this wine -- only 16,000 bottles were produced! I have a tendency to under estimate this wine in barrel, as there is so much going on, so I would not be surprised to see this get even better in the bottle. - Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

A more elegant, lightly textured effort than some top past vintages, the 2015 Le Gay comes from a tiny estate in Pomerol and is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up all in new oak. It has terrific complexity in its darker fruits, tobacco leaf, violets, new leather and even meaty aromas and flavors. These carry to a full-bodied, perfectly balanced 2015 that has fine, fine tannin and a great finish. It will fill in with 3-4 years of cellaring and keep for two decades. Tasted once. - Jeb Dunnuck

A tight and racy red with walnut skin, pecan nuts, chili and spice. Blackberry. Full body, round texture. Chewy. Very promising. Like the great Le Gays from the 1980s. James Suckling

The 2015 Le Gay comes from the 6.5-hectare Pomerol estate, of which 2.09 hectares are currently being restructured. It is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked from 27 September until 8 October at one degree lower alcohol than Montviel; it has a fragrant bouquet with delineated red cherries, crushed strawberry and hints of vanilla from the 100% new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, ripe and rounded in the mouth, very well balanced and very smooth. This just glides across the mouth and once that new oak has been absorbed, this will be a gorgeous Le Gay to behold. Do not overlook this Cru because it has been on a roll in recent years. - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate

Polished crimson. Some freshness on the nose though clearly very ripe and sweet too. Creamy and spicy. Just the right side of overripe. A little bit severe and yeast-extracty on the end. But there is lots humming away here on the palate. I may be under-scoring this wine. - Jancis Robinson