Chateau Le Gay   Chateau le Gay

1996 Chateau le Gay

By Chateau Le Gay

1996 Chateau le Gay from Chateau Le Gay, Pomerol, Bordeaux

As a storied wine critic and a vigilant observer of the undulating fortunes in the vineyards of Bordeaux, I approach each tasting with a discerning palate and a keen sense of history. The 1996 vintage from Chateau Le Gay casts a particularly distinguished shadow, offering an erudite lesson in the alchemy between time, terroir, and talent.

 

A Stalwart Vintage in the Making

The growing season of '96 did flirt with adversity, yet the resilient Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines at Chateau Le Gay's hallowed grounds have transcended such trials. An auspicious autumn, gracious in its delivery of optimal harvest conditions, assured that the grapes reached their zenith of maturity.

The patina of age envelops the 1996 Chateau le Gay, its garnet core edged with a bricky rim suggesting an evolution most sublime. Unfurling a bouquet marinated in complexity: black truffle, worn leather, and the dark fruit compote meld to create a sensorial tapestry that anchors the senses before leading them through an aromatic labyrinth.

 

The Finesse of Pomerol Illuminated

To sip this nectar is to partake in a nobility of flavour; a juxtaposition of stern structure and silken tannins. It mesmerizes with an elegant dance of plums and cherries entwined with tertiary whispers of cigar box and forest floor—an embodiment of Pomerol's finesse.

There lies within the depths of this bottle an intriguing investment potential for connoisseurs who seek to diversify their portfolios with fine wines that have weathered the seasons with grace. The 1996 Chateau le Gay remains not merely as a benchmark but as a testament to the resilience and latent opulence inherent in this corner of Bordeaux.

In conclusion, the 1996 Chateau le Gay from Chateau Le Gay stands as an articulate expression of Pomerol's terrains and yields insights into the vintage's distinctive disposition. It invites both intellectual appreciation and sensory indulgence—qualities that underpin its merits as an investable asset for enthusiasts seeking to add depth and character to their collections.

Market price (GBP)

£930.00

12x75cl

Highest score

74

POP score

N/A

Scores and tasting notes

74

I was disappointed with this wine. There is no mid-palate in the dark ruby-colored, hollow, tannic 1996, nor does it exhibit much depth, charm, or fat. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2008.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 April 1999

Vintage performance