Château Les Ormes de Pez, St Estèphe, 2016
Produced from 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 52% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, this Jean Michel Cazes owned St Estephe Chateau is made in a similar vein to its big brother, Lynch Bages. That is to say, this is dark and brooding and seriously well constructed. Liqueur chocolates, kirsch, black cherry; there's really good concentration, large-scale tannins as well as fine acidity and an overall impression of freshness. As ever, this St Estephe will be a good value buy.
critic reviews
The 2016 Ormes de Pez was the biggest surprise of the blind tasting. No-one predicted such a strong showing and it proved its mettle not once, but twice. It has a well-defended and complex bouquet with black fruit, melted tar, freshly rolled tobacco and sous-bois scents emerging with time. Good intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, gentle but insistent grip, white and black pepper sprinkled over the structured and very persistent finish. A big Left Bank '16 but there is also finesse here. Outstanding. Tasted twice blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting (just to check!)
Ruby red in colour, with cherry pit, sage, rosemary, orange peel, sappy and ready to go. Does exactly what you want it to do, delivering Left Bank, St Estèphe character, unfussy, old school, tasty. In its drinking window. Cazes family owners.
A blend of 52 % Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Ormes de Pez is deep garnet in color. It comes bounding out with open-for-business notes of black cherry preserves, warm cassis, and menthol, followed by hints of spice cake and graphite. Medium-bodied, the palate is soft and juicy with spicy accents and a refreshing finish.