Chateau Ormes de Pez 2016

Chateau Ormes de Pez, Saint Estephe, Bordeaux, France, 2016 

Grapes: A blend of 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot from vines with an average age of 35 years.

The estate is owned by Jean-Michel Cazes, also owner of Chateau Lynch-Bages and, until 2011, was classified as a "Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel". Since the removal of the Cru Bourgeois grading system it's been part of a marketing group of six chateaux known as "Les Exceptionnels". This group has continued on its own even after the re-introduction of the new 3-tier Cru Bourgeois system in 2020.

Chateau Ormes de Pez is located opposite another similarly named property, "Chateau de Pez", on the north-west side of the appellation.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"The 2016 Ormes de Pez is deep garnet-purple in color with red and black currants, earth, sage and chargrill on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied, refreshing and chewy with an herbal lift." Drink 2019-2031

91/100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, ropertparker.com, November 2018 

"Loads of crushed rocks, fresh, bright red fruits and ripe, soft tannins. The wine had depth, length and the ability to age, leaving with you a blast of sweet, juicy, dark red fruit in the finish. This is clearly the best vintage yet for Les Ormes de Pez."

92/100 points, Jeff Leve, THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER, February 2019