Château Les Ormes de Pez, St Estèphe, 2022

A nose of toasted oak and sweet, cedary black cherry fruit to this wine from the Cazes family, which was matured in 45% new oak. The palate is the same, all cedary black fruit and toast, with a huge tannic grip underneath it all. Plenty of grip here. leading to a dry, bitter and pithy finish. A good wine, but give it time.

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2038

date of review 06/2025

Trace of gunsmoke on the opening, needs a moment to clear and open to show the rich ripe brambled fruit. This is enjoyable, orange peel, mandarin, pomegranate, cloves, flash of crème de cassis on the finish. 45% new oak for ageing, 40ha vineyard, Cazes family owners.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2040

date of review 03/2025

The 2022 Ormes de Pez, aged in 45% new oak, has a very perfumed and pure bouquet featuring black cherry, raspberry, cedar and iodine scents. Perhaps it needs a little more Saint Estèphe character to filter through? The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced, with grainy tannins and a core of black fruit mixed with cracked black pepper and a pinch of sea salt. There is pleasing sapidity and a touch of graphite lingering on the Pauillac-styled aftertaste. This is very fine.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2044

date of review 02/2025