Wine Advocate (91)

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 La Croix de Gay gives up notes of new leather, warm blackberries and black cherry compote with wafts of menthol, chocolate box and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a muscular core of black fruits with a solid line of chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on an invigorating herbal note.

Wine Enthusiast (90)

Here is a smoky, juicy wine, its tannins soft and gentle while also showing ripe spice and mouthwatering acidity. The dry tannins at the end provide structure.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2016 La Croix de Gay has an appealing bouquet featuring plenty of dusky black fruit laced with espresso and light tertiary aromas. This could only be from Pomerol, though it is less floral than before. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a fine bead of acidity and a judicious touch of black pepper sprinkled over the finish. Lovely for those seeking a more “restrained” Pomerol. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

James Suckling (89-90)

Shows some very good depth of fruit and intensity with chocolate, coffee and dark-berry character. Medium to full body. Soft tannins.

Wine Advocate (91-93)

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Wine Advocate (91-93)

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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2019 La Croix de Gay is a bit rustic and rough around the edges, but it has good depth and plenty of character. Black fruit, leather, chocolate, licorice and dried herbs give the 2019 savory intensity to match its succulent dark fruit.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2019 La Croix de Gay is a bit rustic and rough around the edges, but it has good depth and plenty of character. Black fruit, leather, chocolate, licorice and dried herbs give the 2019 savory intensity to match its succulent dark fruit.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2019 La Croix de Gay is a bit rustic and rough around the edges, but it has good depth and plenty of character. Black fruit, leather, chocolate, licorice and dried herbs give the 2019 savory intensity to match its succulent dark fruit.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2020 La Croix de Gay is a potent, brooding wine. A blast of dark cherry fruit, dried herbs, menthol, licorice, game and smoke adds to an impression of somber, virile intensity. Powerful, sinewy tannins are pretty dominant. It will be interesting to see if this softens with time. Today, it is a brute.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2020 La Croix de Gay is a potent, brooding wine. A blast of dark cherry fruit, dried herbs, menthol, licorice, game and smoke adds to an impression of somber, virile intensity. Powerful, sinewy tannins are pretty dominant. It will be interesting to see if this softens with time. Today, it is a brute.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2020 La Croix de Gay is a potent, brooding wine. A blast of dark cherry fruit, dried herbs, menthol, licorice, game and smoke adds to an impression of somber, virile intensity. Powerful, sinewy tannins are pretty dominant. It will be interesting to see if this softens with time. Today, it is a brute.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2020 La Croix de Gay is a potent, brooding wine. A blast of dark cherry fruit, dried herbs, menthol, licorice, game and smoke adds to an impression of somber, virile intensity. Powerful, sinewy tannins are pretty dominant. It will be interesting to see if this softens with time. Today, it is a brute.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2020 La Croix de Gay is a potent, brooding wine. A blast of dark cherry fruit, dried herbs, menthol, licorice, game and smoke adds to an impression of somber, virile intensity. Powerful, sinewy tannins are pretty dominant. It will be interesting to see if this softens with time. Today, it is a brute.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2020 La Croix de Gay is a potent, brooding wine. A blast of dark cherry fruit, dried herbs, menthol, licorice, game and smoke adds to an impression of somber, virile intensity. Powerful, sinewy tannins are pretty dominant. It will be interesting to see if this softens with time. Today, it is a brute.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2020 La Croix de Gay is a potent, brooding wine. A blast of dark cherry fruit, dried herbs, menthol, licorice, game and smoke adds to an impression of somber, virile intensity. Powerful, sinewy tannins are pretty dominant. It will be interesting to see if this softens with time. Today, it is a brute.

Vinous - Neal Martin (83-85)

The 2021 La Croix de Gay did show some reduction on three samples tasted, and yet underneath, I feel there is some underripeness. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, and rather hard for a Pomerol, with an austere, bitter finish. I re-tasted this from two further bottles, hoping to find a more promising wine, but they simply reaffirmed my initial finding.

Vinous - Neal Martin (83-85)

The 2021 La Croix de Gay did show some reduction on three samples tasted, and yet underneath, I feel there is some underripeness. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, and rather hard for a Pomerol, with an austere, bitter finish. I re-tasted this from two further bottles, hoping to find a more promising wine, but they simply reaffirmed my initial finding.

Vinous - Neal Martin (83-85)

The 2021 La Croix de Gay did show some reduction on three samples tasted, and yet underneath, I feel there is some underripeness. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, and rather hard for a Pomerol, with an austere, bitter finish. I re-tasted this from two further bottles, hoping to find a more promising wine, but they simply reaffirmed my initial finding.

Vinous - Neal Martin (83-85)

The 2021 La Croix de Gay did show some reduction on three samples tasted, and yet underneath, I feel there is some underripeness. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, and rather hard for a Pomerol, with an austere, bitter finish. I re-tasted this from two further bottles, hoping to find a more promising wine, but they simply reaffirmed my initial finding.

Vinous - Neal Martin (83-85)

The 2021 La Croix de Gay did show some reduction on three samples tasted, and yet underneath, I feel there is some underripeness. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, and rather hard for a Pomerol, with an austere, bitter finish. I re-tasted this from two further bottles, hoping to find a more promising wine, but they simply reaffirmed my initial finding.

Vinous - Neal Martin (83-85)

The 2021 La Croix de Gay did show some reduction on three samples tasted, and yet underneath, I feel there is some underripeness. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, and rather hard for a Pomerol, with an austere, bitter finish. I re-tasted this from two further bottles, hoping to find a more promising wine, but they simply reaffirmed my initial finding.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)

Bright ruby-red. Meaty dark berries and leather on the nose. Dense, sweet and highly concentrated, with very ripe flavors of plum, cassis, licorice and spices. Finishes with dusty but sweet tannins, a cool suggestion of menthol that gives it life, and sneaky length.

In the realm of fine clarets, La Fleur de Gay 2013 is indeed a prized gem, enchanting discerning connoisseurs. Hailing from the historic Pomerol region in Bordeaux, France, it enthuses persistent allure synonymous with its iconic lineage. A single-estate wine, it boasts an exceptional pedigree, produced meticulously by the Chateau Lafleur estate. Devotion to tradition is evident, with selective hand-picking and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. This practice ensures each bottle inherits the distinctive excellence Chateau Lafleur is renowned for.

La Fleur de Gay 2013 greets with its intense ruby hue, unfolding a symphony of black cherry, blackcurrant, and licorice, culminating with refined cocoa notes. This Merlot blend reveals profound depth and complexity on the palate, beautifully structured tannins paving the way for a lingering finish. Coupled with masterful maturation, optimal weather conditions in 2013 have rendered this vintage unparalleled— a living testament to the region’s prime terroirs and the estate’s exquisite winemaking prowess.

Wine Advocate (92)

The 2014 La Fleur de Gay has much more complexity on the nose compared to its peers with intense blackberry, black truffle and smoke aromas emerging from the glass in orderly fashion. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin. There is still a layer of new oak to wade through at the moment, but there is certainly substance to soak that up with time. This is a more muscular La Fleur de Gay than previous vintages: structured with a firm backbone, but it will mellow and soften for those that will afford it requisite bottle age. One to watch.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2016 La Fleur de Gay is a wine of real personality and class. Dark cherry jam, mocha, espresso, blood orange and rose petal give the 2016 an exotic quality that is hugely appealing, while beams of supporting tannin provide the framework. In the glass, the 2016 is rich, dense and remarkably vivid, all of which make it absolutely compelling. This is a fabulous showing.

Wine Spectator (91-94)

Solid, with licorice root, ganache and fig notes forming a slightly muscular core, backed by brambly grip and a good dose of roasted apple wood on the finish. A touch rustic but has the core of fruit to fill out. For fans of the style.

Wine Advocate (89-91)

Deep purple-black colored, the 2018 La Fleur de Gay delivers bold notions of baked plums, mulberries and blackberry preserves with touches of tar, bay leaves and truffles. Full-bodied and rich, with a plush texture, it has soft acid and a spicy finish.

Wine Advocate (89-91)

Deep purple-black colored, the 2018 La Fleur de Gay delivers bold notions of baked plums, mulberries and blackberry preserves with touches of tar, bay leaves and truffles. Full-bodied and rich, with a plush texture, it has soft acid and a spicy finish.

Wine Advocate (89-91)

Deep purple-black colored, the 2018 La Fleur de Gay delivers bold notions of baked plums, mulberries and blackberry preserves with touches of tar, bay leaves and truffles. Full-bodied and rich, with a plush texture, it has soft acid and a spicy finish.