98+pts - The deep garnet colored 2009 Le Gay simply sings of minted cassis, baked plums and blueberry pie with touches of cardamom, cloves, tree bark and pencil shavings plus a waft of lavender. The palate is medium to full-bodied and exquisitely textured with satiny tannins and bold freshness framing the vibrant, multilayered fruit, finishing long and perfumed. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, March 2019

96 - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 29/02/2012
Tiny yields of 25 hectoliters per hectare and a final blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc have produced an enormously concentrated, black/purple-colored wine exhibiting notes of roasted meats, smoked game, blackberries, coffee, incense and forest floor. This distinctive, large-scaled, viscous, thick Pomerol may be as concentrated as some of this estate’s all-time classics (1947 and 1950). I am puzzled by why I could not see this a few years ago. In any event, this is one of the most profound Le Gay’s ever produced. Forget it for at least a decade and drink it over the following half century.

Wow! Did I underestimate this wine from barrel! I remember when tasting it at that time, Michel Rolland, who consults at this property, told me he thought it was the best they have made to date. After having it three times from barrel, I could not see that. However, cask aging has certainly been beneficial to this masculine, backward wine. From bottle, the 2009 Le Gay is remarkable.

I tasted this wine three times, and while Michel Rolland thinks it is the finest Le Gay yet made, I must disagree. For now, I think it comes in behind the 2008 and 2005. There is no question it is an outstanding wine, but I feel it lacks the concentration and intensity that put both the 2008 and 2005 in the superstar category. Yields of 25 hectoliters per hectare were extremely low, and the final blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc achieved 13.5% natural alcohol. A dark ruby (but not opaque) color is followed by aromas of sweet raspberries and black currants with dusty, earthy, loamy soil notes in the background. The wine is medium to full-bodied and rich, but much lighter and less intense than I expected given the vintage conditions. Three separate tastings over the course of 12 days were inconsistent. (Tasted three times.) (91-93+)

The 2009 Le Gay has a quintessential bouquet for this Pomerol cru with intense black cherry, black truffle singed earth and Xmas cake aromas. Lovely. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well judged acidity, focused and structured with a sense of confidence and density towards the finish. This is a great Le Gay and it should age gloriously. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting. - vinous.com, March 2019

A typical Pomerol with the combination of ripe black fruits and elegance that's traditionally associated with the appellation. Plenty of mushroom and some truffle character too. I love the long almost crisp finish that pulls you back to the glass for more. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019) - Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com, March 2019