Château Les Ormes de Pez, St Estèphe, 1998
This Jean Michel Cazes owned St Estephe Chateau is on fine form, producing wines in a similar vein to its big brother, Lynch Bages. The 2021 is dialled back, but there's still admirable fruit and a nice easy flow. Lots of velvety purple fruit, notes of hedgerow berries, blueberries and strawberries, toast and tobacco. Plenty of grip and energy and good delivery of flavour. Much to enjoy here. As ever, this St Estephe will be a top value buy.
critic reviews
The 1998 Les Ormes de Pez remains quite deep in colour with just thin bricking on the rim. The nose is mature with blackberry, briary, scorched earth and leather aromas, perhaps missing the definition of recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, edgy red berry fruit with an attenuated soy-tinged finish that suggests that this should be consumed in the near future. Tasted at the château.
A successful effort, as well as a reasonably good value, this dark ruby/purple-colored 1998 exhibits copious quantities of cassis fruit along with earthy, underbrush notes. Medium to full-bodied, with fine concentration, excellent texture, and a soft, spicy, peppery finish, it will drink well for 10-12 years.