Le Gay Pomerol 2018

97 points 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. Drink: 2021-2046. (3/11/21)"

97 points James Suckling: "Aromas of plums, violets and mushrooms with earthy notes. Fleshy and succulent texture to the full body with round, firm tannins and a salivating, savory finish. Very persistent. Opulent and reserved at the same time. Contrastive wine. Drink after 2025. (1/6/21)"

96 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "I was entranced by my first taste of this wine during the primeurs, as a barrel sample, when I tasted it at Michel Rolland’s tasting. But then later at the château it seemed less convincing, and when I ducked back into Michel’s tasting later in the week for a third taste it was more in keeping with the second bottle than the first. Now two years on, in bottle, it is clearly a good wine, but again my impressions call to mind those second and third tastes rather than the first. The nose still simmers with charming fruit, all blackberry and black cherry, now dressed with salty clay minerals and notes of pencil lead. The palate also has a fine impact, the fruit very finessed and dark, the mineral, smoky, gravelly elements now dressed with floral notes of violet and verbena. A very attractive wine, sinewy, dark, characterful, but never quite recapturing the exquisite harmony of that first encounter. I have had to come down from the score range given for the barrel samples tasted (I think I was holding out, hoping for a return to the quality of that first sample). Still a top result though. (Feb 2021)"

96 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Wow could be the perfect descriptor here. If only brevity sufficed. This stunner is rich, concentrated, full-bodied and packed end to end with countless layers of perfectly ripe, velvet drenched, fruits, licorice, smoke, chocolate and truffles. Dark, brooding, long, complex and intense, as well as sensuous and palate coating, this is just beautiful. Time is your friend here. If you can wait for 8-10 years, this is going to be a cellar treasure. The wine is made from blending 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc and is 100% entirely vinified in new, French oak barrels. Less than 1,500 cases are produced so if you want the wine you need to buy it early. (Mar 2021)"

93-96 points Wine Spectator: "Plum, boysenberry and açaí berry flavors give this a slightly exotic character, with a polished texture and lingering anise notes. Shows latent grip on the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. (6/6/19)"

95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (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. (3/31/21)"

95 points Falstaff: "Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple glints, subtle brightening at the rim. Ripe plum, a touch of fig, subtle nougat, candied orange zest. Sweet and complex, chocolatey, intense style, ripe tannins, very good persistence, definite further maturity and ageing potential for many years to come. (May 2019)"