Chateau Le Gay 2008

WEINWISSER: "Enorm dichtes Purpur mit violetten Reflexen. Tiefwürziges Bouquet, Rauch, Korinthen, getrocknete Malagarosinen, Teer und Trüffel – eines der komplexesten Nasenerlebnisse am rechten Ufer. Langer Gaumen mit viel Fruchtextrakt, Tabaknoten, nachhaltiger Adstringenz, vielversprechendes Potenzial. Ein sehr grosser, dereinst sicher legendärer Le Gay, der zu den Spitzenweinen des Jahrgangs gehört."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2008 Le Gay is a beauty. Still lively colored, with a complex bouquet of blackcurrants, savory cherries, earth, and dried herbs, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, fine, elegant tannin, and a silky, layered, seamless texture. It has a beautiful finish and is an incredibly classy, elegant wine."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "One of the top successes of the vintage, the 2008 Le Gay, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc (13.5% alcohol) was produced from tiny yields of 25 hectoliters per hectare. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, it exhibits a dense purple color as well as a sweet nose of spring flowers intermixed with blueberries, blackberries, dark raspberries, crushed rocks and white chocolate. Full-bodied, super intense and extremely promising (although it is unusually backward for a 2008), it will benefit from 5-7 years of cellaring and may merit an even higher score in a decade or so. It should last for 30+ years, making it one of the longest-lived wines of the vintage."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Still young, and with the reserved character of the 2008 vintage, the wine offers more on the earthy, truffle and black cherry nose than on the full-bodied, tannic, structured palate. With 2 hours of air, the wine filled out, but it retained its sense of old-school, classic and reserved character. Drink from 2028-2040."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, jugendliche Reflexe, violetter Rand. In der Nase reife Frucht, saftig-süßes Brombeerkonfit, feine Orangenzesten, angenehme Gewürzanklänge. Am Gaumen stoffig, süß, opulent, nach Dörrzwetschken und Schokolade, etwas weitmaschig in der Mitte, runde Tannine, süßes Finale, hedonistisch und bereits recht zugänglich. "

WINE SPECTATOR: "Racy blackberry and graphite notes are framed by light toast and mineral in this vibrant, expressive red. The ripe tannins are well-integrated and give backbone to the plush texture. There's beautiful balance, with depth and drive. 1,500 cases made."

DECANTER: "Firm blackberry and bilberry fruits are accompanied by smooth tannins in this lovely wine full of Pomerol typicity. No need to wait any longer to start enjoying this - those luscious cappuccino notes allow for an easy entry into the rich fruit and tannic backbone."