2000 Le Gay, Pomerol

Wonderful aromas of crushed berries and flowers. Full-bodied, with big, silky tannins that build on the palate. Long and chocolaty in the aftertaste. Much, much better than I remember. Rich and super well-made. Best after 2010. (3/2003)

A powerful, firm, chunky offering with a dense plum/purple color, notes of Chinese black tea intermixed with vitamins, minerals, earth, black currants, and cassis, this 2000 is a relatively rugged, tannic, old-style wine that should develop well in spite of moderately high tannin and a hint of rusticity. As I said last year, those with 19th century tastes will go ga-ga over Le Gay's 2000. P.S. Le Gay was sold in 2002 to Catherine Pere-Verge, who has hired Michel Rolland. Rolland believes that Le Gay can become one of the great Pomerols of the appellation given its terroir and history of extraordinary wines in the late forties. (4/2003)

Bright, deep red-ruby color. Vibrant aromas of black fruits, chocolate, cedar, coffee and fresh herbs. Supple, rich, smoky and dry, with densely packed flavors of black cherry, minerals and tobacco leaf. Rather tightly wound, yet silky and elegant for this wine, thanks to the vintage's ripe acids. At once solidly structured and suave. (6/2003)