2018 Chateau Le Gay Pomerol 750 ml

When it comes to Pomerol, “bargain” is a relative word.

This famous Right Bank stronghold is home to some of the most expensive wines in the world, such as Pétrus, and Le Pin.

On a recent jaunt through Bordeaux, that reality left us scouring cellars for what we consider the sweet-spot of Pomerol: wines that capture the sensuousness and the intellectual character of the appellation, but in price come nowhere near the marquee names.

In that category, the 2018 Château Le Gay has little competition. It’s a showstopping release that ranks among the best of the vintage and costs way, way less than you’d expect for a 97-point Pomerol!

“From one of my favorite estates in Pomerol, the 2018 Château Le Gay knocks it out of the park,” wrote Jeb Dunnuck in a blockbuster review that puts this bottling within just a few points of Pomerol’s 100-point wines. It “has that classic Pomerol mix of sexy opulence paired with an incredible sense of finesse.” 

Dunnuck wasn’t done. “I’d be thrilled with bottles in the cellar,” he added. “It’s going to put a smile on any wine lover’s face over the coming 20–25 years.”   

The Le Gay vineyards often produce a minuscule one ton per acre. That makes these wines rarities, usually best ordered en primeur. 

The late, legendary Catherine Pére-Vergé acquired the property in 2002 and, aided by consultant Michel Rolland, turned it into one of Pomerol’s most overperforming estates. “Le Gay is fulfilling its potential as one of Pomerol’s dark horses,” wrote Vinous of a recent vintage.  

This is the serious wine-collector’s Pomerol that brings all the quality you want from the appellation, sans the bank-breaking price.