Chateau Les Ormes de Pez 2016

Chateau les Ormes de Pez takes its name from the location and a tree. In the local dialect, Ormes is Elms. Historically, The estate had elm trees. Unfortunately all the elm trees of this specific variety have died out in Europe since the 1950s. Pez is the name of the local area in Saint Estephe. In the local dialect, Pez is roughly translated into Peace. The estate has a long history dating to the 16th century. Around 1880, Maries Cazes married Jean Guillou. He was killed in WWI. and se took control of the property. She eventually sold the estate to her brother. Since 1940, the property has been owned of the Jean-Charles Cazes family, owners of Chateau Lynch Bages.

Chateau Ormes de Pez is 40 hectares of vineyards planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Wine Spectator: 92
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.

Wine Advocate: 91
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.

Decanter: 92
A real standout wine. The gorgeous, fruit-driven nose is followed by a broad, focused palate, seamlessly integrating oak, fruit, acidity and alcohol, achieving veritable racy elegance that sets it apart. Bravo! Drinking Window 2020 - 2030.

Wine Enthusiast: 92
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.

James Suckling: 94
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.

Jeb Dunnuck: 92
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.

Jeb Dunnuck: 92

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.