1 | Wine | Pomerol, $20 to $50, 86 or higher

"This has suave toast, mulled spice, roasted fig and crushed plum and blackberry flavors, all gliding along with silky structure through the finish."

"Gentle and delicious red, with tobacco and berry character. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, succulent finish."

"A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from this well-situated vineyard on the plateau of Pomerol, which is owned by Chantal Lebreton, this wine has 13.5% alcohol, somewhat low in this vintage, but it displays plenty of kirsch, sweet cherries and red currants along with some sandy/loamy soil and roasted herb notes in a very sexy, up-front, lush, medium to full-bodied style. There’s not a hard edge to be found in this La Croix de Gay, and therefore my feeling is that it should be drunk in its first 10-12 years of life."-Robert Parker