Château Le Gay, Pomerol,

Smooth, silky tannins, holding tight onto black cherry and damson fruits. This is great quality, with plenty of Pomerol character, smoked and grilled almonds and dark chocolate, fresh mint leaf keeps the core lively, plenty of life ahead. Good stuff from Vignobles Péré Vergé.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Le Gay leads with vibrant notes of black raspberries, Morello cherries, and plum preserves, plus suggestions of cinnamon toast, allspice, and dried lavender. Full-bodied, the palate is soft and spicy with bags of expressive black fruits and an opulent finish.

The 2019 Le Gay has quite a Left Bank nose thanks to the potent graphite/pencil box scents that infuse the red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, black cherries and wild strawberry fruit, elegant with ample weight on the finish. This is a lovely Pomerol with great promise. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.