2018 le Gay (Ex Chateau 2018 Release)

Like its stablemate La Violette, the 2018 Le Gay is initially reserved on the nose and gradually unfurls to reveal precise blackberry, bilberry, black truffle and light raspberry preserve aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. This is a relatively conservative Le Gay, but it is very precise and full of tension. Lovely blackberry and graphite notes surface toward the sustained finish. Very fine, but it will require 3–4 years in bottle. [This Pomerol radically changed with aeration, developing a stronger marine, almost briny nose and palate.]

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.