The 2016 Château La Croix de Gay is, I suspect, the finest to date for this estate. Almost all Merlot (there's 5% Cabernet Franc), it has a beautiful nose of dried flowers, truffle, smoke tobacco, and both sweet red and black fruits. About as seamless as it gets on the palate, with terrific elegance, it's a thrilling Pomerol that has real class. It's beautiful today and will be beautiful in 15-20 years as well.

Fleshy and still youthfully balled up, with raspberry and cherry paste notes behind a wall of roasted apple wood and sandalwood. Features floral nuances buried within and a bright mineral flash on the finish, so let this unwind in the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2035. 2,165 cases made.

The 2016 La Croix de Gay is medium to deep garnet-purple colored with a nose of black and red cherries, mulberries, herbs and earth with a waft of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is lively with firm, grainy tannins and cedar on the finish.

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.