1982 Château Le Gay
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Tasting notes
Still a deep, dark garnet – much more intense colour than the Petit Village. Smells so robust that it almost tastes as though it contains Cabernet. Really still very vibrant. Lots of life here. And still a suggestion of tannin actually. Long and lively, though perhaps there’s just a little too much tannin for the fruit still? Very concentrated. I can see why Parker rated it very highly in its youth but it’s a little dry (lacking in fruit) on the end. It would be fine with food. (JR)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1982 Le Gay continues to drink well. This bottle is one of the better examples that I have come across. Quite rich and decadent on the nose, even rustic, with black brambly fruit, rusty nails and truffle aromas. With time, a slight greenness is perceptible underneath it all, along with some mulch and peat. The grippy palate delivers plenty of licorice-infused black fruit, and there is a healthy dose of black pepper on the solid finish. It does not know the meaning of finesse, but what charm! Tasted at Mere restaurant in London.
Made by the same team that produced the perfect 1982 Lafleur, this wine had been forgotten in my cellar. While it’s clear that the new owner, Catherine Pere-Verge, has made some amazing wines since 2005 (especially the 2008), the 1982 is a wine for the ages. Still an inky/purple color, it boasts an extraordinary perfume of spring flowers intermixed with black raspberries, truffles, and kirsch. Full-bodied with velvety tannins, the wine remains extremely young, but the sweetness of the tannins and the sensational fruit concentration make for a remarkable wine that should evolve for another 30+ years. Release price: ($175.00/case)
Lively colour. Dense crimson. Sweet, black cherries on the nose but the overall impression is a bit too flash with a lack of freshness on the palate. Not for me. (JR)
About the producer
There’s been lots of change at Ch. le Gay since the Parent family arrived in 2002 – with vineyards replanted, the cellars renovated and the winemaking adjusted. No surprise, perhaps, that quality is now higher than ever.