2016 Chateau Le Gay - Pomerol "Super Second"
98 Point 2016 Chateau Le Gay, Pomerol - Petrus Neighbor
We are featuring this Pomerol, that scored 98 Points. If it isn't enough to just know the vineyards are in Pomerol, or that they are walking distance to Petrus but also influenced by Michel Rolland and considered a Super Second! Hurry, as these gems will not last long!
“... full body, rich and layered tannins and a long, long finish. Exuberant”
– James Suckling of 2016 Chateau Le Gay
The wines of Chateau Le Gay today are concentrated, deeply flavored and provide opulent, sensuous textures. This is one of the top Pomerol estates to watch and purchase as the wines of Chateau Le Gay offer quality, character, ageability, and at a fair price.
Pomerol does not have any classification. Today, Chateau Le Gay from Pomerol would clearly merit the high level of status of being a Super Second Wine in Bordeaux. While you are shopping, check out our other Right Bank Pomerols e.g., Lafleur, La Fleur Petrus and of course the legendary, Petrus!
Shop The Collection
Critical Acclaim:
98 Points — James Suckling 2016 Le Gay
"Exotic aromas of blackberries, truffle, earth and cedar follow through to a full body, rich and layered tannins and a long, long finish. Shows so much here. Exotic. Give it at least three or four years of bottle age. Exuberant." JS Dec 2019
95+ Points — Robert Parker 2005 Le Gay
"The 2005 Le Gay is a massive, masculine Pomerol, very much in the style of Gazin, but showing much more minerality, abundant blue and black fruits, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and loads of tannin in a youthful, backward style, even at age 10. Give this wine at least another 5-10 years of cellaring and drink it over the following quarter-century. The 2005 is unquestionably the finest Le Gay since 1982, 1975, and perhaps even 1947. Kudos to consulting winemaker Michel Rolland and the estate’s relatively new proprietor, Catherine Pere-Verge, for pushing the envelope to this level" RP Jun 2015
James Molesworth for Wine Spectator 2000 Le Gay
"This has a fairly hedonistic profile, with a noticeable warm tar and pain d'épices layer coursing underneath black Mission fig jam, eau-de-vie–soaked plum and raspberry pâte de fruit notes. There's a thread of charcoal for spine that lends a lightly rustic edge but also keeps the roasted fruit flavors honest.—Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective" JM for WS Jun 2016
Right Bank, Pomerol!
If it isn't enough to just know the vineyards are in Pomerol, or that they are walking distance to Petrus but also made by Christian Moueix!
Christian Moueix
Christian Moueix was the wine maker for Château Le Gay in from 1952 until 1988. The Iconic Moueix family have been prominent in Bordeaux for decades. Christian is the owner and winemaker of several estates, including Château Le Gay and its sister property, Château La Fleur-Pétrus. Of course, you know what other Pomerol Christian Moueix is famous for ... PETRUS!
Don't forget about his famous Napa Valley wineries, e.g., DOMINUS! His involvement with Château Le Gay would have played a significant role in shaping the style and quality of the wine produced in the 1989 vintage of Château Le Gay.
Chateau Le Gay History
an excerpt from Wine Cellar Insider
The property takes its name from its location as the lieu-dit is called Le Gay. In 1872, the owners sold a part of the vineyard to the Greloud family which helped to give birth to Chateau Lafleur.
At one point in time, starting slightly after the conclusion of World War 1, Chateau Le Gay became the property of the Robin family, eventually passing to the famous Robin sisters in 1946 who also owned the legendary estate of Chateau Lafleur!
Therese Robin and Marie Robin owned and managed Chateau Le Gay for six decades! For much of that time, the estate was managed by Jean Pierre Moueix, who produced and sold the wine.
Marie Robin passed away in 2001. With no direct descendants to pass the estate to and with massive inheritance taxes due that needed to be paid by Jacques Guinaudeau, he was forced to sell the vineyard. It was widely assumed that the natural buyer would be Ets. Moueix, but that was not the case.
Chateau Le Gay was purchased by Catherine Pere-Verge in late 2002 for 25 million dollars.
The wines of Chateau Le Gay today are concentrated, deeply flavored and provide opulent, sensuous textures. This is one of the top Pomerol estates to watch and purchase as the wines of Chateau Le Gay offer quality, character, ageability, and at a fair price.