Château Les Ormes de Pez, St Estèphe, 2010
Under the stewardship of Jean Charles Cazes of Lynch Bages, this estate's fortunes have changed dramatically over the last few vintages. The 2009 was the best we had tasted; that was until we tasted the 2010... Produced from 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The malolactic fermentation takes place 35% in barrel and the balance in vats just as Lynch Bages is and this will be aged in 45% new oak barrels. Sadly a hail storm on the 9th of May hit some of the most northerly plots reducing yields by up to 40% in some cases. Average yields are 44 hl/ha. The wine itself is inky in colour with a perfumed bouquet of purple fruit, cool cassis and graphite. This is very much a mini Lynch. There is impressive texture and no shortage of sweet, vivid fruit. Brambly fruit and crème de mûre delight the palate. This is plump, poised, suave and possesses impressive tannins. Delicious.
critic reviews
This was in a carafe for at least five hours before tasting, and is a good reminder that you should not be nervous to leave these in contact with oxygen - the architecture can easily hold the fruit. Pretty spicy overall, full of tannic grip, dark and plush plum and greengage fruits, sage, cinnamon and crayon. Delicious, such a great value wine, one of the 'open now' wines of the tasting, exactly what you hope for when heading towards this price point of wine, and so rarely get.
The 2010 Les Ormes de Pez has a ripe and fruit-driven bouquet with tons of wild strawberry, cranberry and undergrowth notes, well defined if not quite as complex as its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. Good acidity, nicely proportioned with a touch of spice on the finish, this constitutes one of the more approachable Saint-Estèphe wines, with the substance to suggest that it will drink over the next 10-15 years. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.