1999 Chateau le Gay
By Chateau Le Gay
1999 Chateau le Gay from Chateau Le Gay, Pomerol, Bordeaux
In the pantheon of Bordeaux vintages, the 1999 Chateau le Gay from Chateau Le Gay represents a particularly distinctive entry, demonstrating an admirable display of grace under climatic adversity. This particular year in Pomerol was marked by an erratic growing season, with testing conditions that sculpted the grapes into a showcase of resilience and hidden depth.
A Testament to Terroir and Technique
Bearing the estate's legacy with aplomb, the 1999 vintage ripples with intricate layers delivered by its merlot dominance. The nuances introduced by these specific seasonal challenges have bestowed upon it a profile that investors and connoisseurs seek for both its rarity and storytelling palate. A sophisticated spectrum from ripe cherries to an earthy undertone is lifted by a thread of minerality, a testament to the Pomerol terroir touched by an autumn-borne harvest, affirming its standing among discerning collections.
Refinement in the Glass
The maturation of this vintage has rounded its initial robust edges into a smoother, more refined experience on the palate. Its complexity is now partnered with a mellowness that betrays none of its youthful vigour but presents it through a lens of wisdom. On tasting, one finds a melange of dark plum and truffle elegantly laced with hints of spice and tobacco – intriguing traces of storied winemaking and nature's unpredictable canvas.
For investors targeting vintages with both character and provenance, the 1999 Chateau le Gay from Chateau Le Gay offers a triumphant narrative woven amidst challenging weather patterns. As time drifts on, this wine assures not only an evolving journey for the senses but stakes its claim as an enduring piece in the puzzle of Pomerol's rich vinous tapestry.
Market price (USD)
$1,240.00
12x75cl
Highest score
87
POP score
145.71
Scores and tasting notes
I underrated the 1999 Le Gay in last year's Wine Advocate. Plum, earth, and black cherry scents intermix with licorice and soil overtones. The wine is medium-bodied, with surprisingly soft tannin for Le Gay, and more ripeness and length than I recall tasting over the last several years. It should drink well for a dozen or more years.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2002