Chateau Le Gay 2016

JAMES SUCKLING: "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. Try from 2023."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Le Gay has a rock star nose of flamboyant Black Forest cake, crushed redcurrants and lilacs scents with underlying nuances of yeast extract, wood smoke, iron ore and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate truly struts its stuff with generous black and red fruits and a fantastic line of super ripe tannins, building to a very long, seductively perfumed finish."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Earthy, spicy fresh and juicy, with layers of ripe, fleshy cherries, espresso, and truffle. The wine is concentrated, complex and fresh, you can feel the fleshy and freshness as well as the silkiness in the tannins, but it is starting to tighten up. So you should definitely hold your bottles for at least 7-8 years allowing the wine to develop before everything really comes together The wine was made from a blend of 90% old vine Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc."

JEB DUNNUCK: "As with the La Violette, the 2016 Château Le Gay shows a slightly more elegant, structured style yet still packs rocking levels of fruit and texture. Mulled dark fruits, new saddle leather, camphor, and tobacco all give way to a full-bodied Pomerol that has building tannins, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It’s still holding things close to its vest, and while I miss some of the sheer opulence found in vintages such as 2005, 2009, and 2010, this is still going to be brilliant. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and it should shine for two decades or more."

WEINWISSER: "Purpurgranat mit satter Mitte und aufhellendem Rand. Duftige, reife Brombeeren, dahinter rote Pflaumen, Mokkatouch und erkalteter Waldfrüchtetee. Am dichten Gaumen mit Wildkirsche und Schokopastillen, endet lang auf Heidelbeergelee und Pflaumenhaut."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This has alluring waves of frankly ripe plum, blackberry and açaí fruit flavors that caress as they move along, pulling flickers of anise, smoldering incense and Christmas pudding along. Showy and hedonistic, but this has structure and definition as it drapes itself on the finish. A lovely wine. Best from 2022 through 2035."

DECANTER: "ouches of heat are evident on the attack, but the palate is quickly deepened by lashings of black fruits. There's plenty to like here and the texture is gorgeously silky, but just be aware it has broad and fairly inflexible shoulders. Drinking Window 2022 - 2036"