Chateau Les Ormes de Pez 2016
(Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe, France) - [JS 94] [WA 92-94] [DC 93] [JD 92] [WS 92] [WE 92]

About the winery: 

Situated on the edge of the hamlet of Pez in the northern part of the Saint-Estèphe commune, the property takes its names from a beautiful copse of great elm trees that has long since disappeared; its history can be traced back to the 18th century. Owned by the Cazes family from Chateau Lynch-Bages, this Estate produces some very refined and elegant wine. It is made with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from quite old vines.

The wines from Ormes de Pez are powerful yet characterized by their harmonious structure. They are indulgent, pleasurable and combine a smooth, fleshy texture with the distinctive elegance of a Saint-Estèphe.

Vintage notes:

The 2016 vintage is made up of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 52% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and was aged in oak barrels for 16 months using 45% new oak.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - James Suckling:
"The dark berries, sandalwood and cedar aromas are certainly memorable. Full-bodied, dense and rich in the center palate with ripe, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Dense and powerful. Try after 2025." (Jan 2019)

92-94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"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." - Neal Martin (28th Apr 2017)

93 Points - Decanter:
"The Cazes family's property in St-Estèphe, which for a drinking wine is going to be hard to beat this year. Juicy and utterly delicious, it has freshness and a great menthol character with finely grained tannins. It manages to deliver the Médoc signature without falling over itself. Mostly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a dash of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, planted on clay-limestone and gravels, aged in 45% new oak. 3.69pH."

92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A terrific Saint-Estephe that delivers the goods, the 2016 Château Ormes de Pez is mostly Merlot blended with 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, all brought up in 45% new French oak. This medium to full-bodied effort has impressive ripeness and concentration as well as tannic structure to go with notes of ripe black cherries, graphite, smoked earth, and background oak. Beautifully textured, it’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for two decades." (2/28/2019)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This is nicely coiled up, with damson plum, raspberry and bitter cherry coulis flavors held in check for now by vivid savory, lilac and iron notes. Features length, cut and drive, so cellar to let this round into form. Displays a textbook St.-Estèphe profile, with pleasant austerity on full display. Best from 2022 through 2032." - JM (web only 2019)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Under the same ownership as Lynch-Bages in Pauillac, this wine shows much of the same rich concentration as those bottlings. Its tannins are as present as the spicy flavors that come through the blackberry fruits. The aftertaste is dark and firm. Drink from 2024. " - Roger Voss (5/1/2019)