At last it feels like the campaign is building a little impetus. There have been a flurry of releases this morning, including some of our top value picks: Les Ormes de Pez, Picque Caillou and Grande Maye.
Jean-Charles Cazes’ St Estephe Chateau, Les Ormes de Pez always represents good value for money. It is made in a Lynch Bages style, packed with dark cassis and minerals. The 2016 is probably the finest example to date, with superior tannins, precision and a finesse that is not common at this price level. It is also worth noting that this has the highest score ever from The Wine Advocate.
Read More‘The 2016 Les Ormes de Pez is a blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 52% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked from 28 September until 12 October. It has an impressive bouquet: blackcurrants, boysenberry and crème de cassis, all with very well integrated new oak. There is a lot of panache here, a word perhaps I have not associated with this Saint Estèphe in recent years. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a lovely grainy texture, quite pure with lovely blackberry, melted tar and slightly savory, almost meaty notes. Harmonious right to the end, this is an excellent Les Ormes de Pez that seems to revel in the 2016 vintage. This might be one of the best wines from the estate. drink 2022-2045. 92-94/100’. - Neal Martin, robertparker.com
In Pessac Leognan, Pauline Calvet continues to produce superb, vital wines, brimming with character and charm. These are authentic and enticing and astonishingly good value. They were amongst our favourite wines at the Pessac Leognan UGC, surpassing some much grander names in the process…
Cédric and Paul Valade have released Grande Maye and Chateau Valade. Anyone who drinks in the gentlemen’s clubs of St James’s will know Grande Maye – it is a firm favourite in these parts delivering exceptional value for money vintage after vintage. The 2016 is another superb effort; perhaps not as lavish as the wonderful 2015, but it possesses greater tension and focus. It is a prodigious wine with a long future ahead.
Finally, Chateau Palmer has released its second wine, Alter Ego at £560 per dozen.