This is a beautiful, dense, meaty, purple-colored wine, with loads of earth, iron, blackberry and cassis fruit. It is full-bodied, rich and opulent with great length, terrific purity and surprisingly sweeter tannin than I would expect from this terroir that tends to produce a masculine style of wine. Impressive and backward, this Le Gay should drink well for at least 20 years.

A very polished and pretty wine with plums, berries and light vanilla cream character. Full and refined. I like the seamless tannins.

A polished, suave style, with alluring plum sauce, melted black licorice and fruitcake notes backed by a solidly built finish of plum skin and black tea. Shows ample stuffing. —J.M.

In this year, Le Gay has undergone micro-vinification in barrel (Darnajou) for the first time. It is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc cropped at 30hl/ha between 8th and 11th October. It has a very pure, natural, refined bouquet with redcurrant, raspberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of orange blossom. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite tart on the entry with a touch of piquancy. This is a more compact Le Gay compared to the 2011 at the moment, but it will mellow and gain volume throughout its maturation. There is very good focus on the finish – a fine mid-term Le Gay to drink between 7 and 15 years. Tasted April 2013.

A backward, muscular style of Le Gay, the 2012 exhibits a dense blue/purple color as well as sweet blueberry and black raspberry notes intermixed with notions of forest floor and earth. Following the lovely bouquet, the tannins kick in and the wine shuts down. It is a muscular, rugged, full-bodied Pomerol that requires 7-10 years of cellaring. It should keep for three decades thereafter.

(90% Merlot/10% Cabernet Franc) Great nose. Vibrant, complex and engaging with ripe and cooked fruit and some toasted coconut. Really intense, concentrated effort which is broad, expanisve and complex. Long finish held up by fresh acidity.

Bright medium red. Captivating, fruit-driven aromas of black cherry and flinty blackcurrant complicated by iron, licorice and spices. Generous and sweet on entry, then firm in the middle, with sweet blackcurrant and mocha flavors. Features broad, dusty tannins and building sweetness on the long, floral finish.

Very rich and deep. Super heady and with some essence of blackberry to it. Very thick and deep and unctuous. Sweet and rich and thick. Petit Verdot… Drink 2016-2028