2018 Château Ormes de Pez, Cru Bourgeois St-Estèphe

Composed of 50% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot and aging in 45% new barriques, the deep purple-black colored 2018 Ormes de Pez leaps from the glass with vibrant blackberries, black cherries and mulberries scents plus touches of garrigue, tree bark and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied with bags of muscular fruit, it has a firm, grainy texture and great freshness, finishing on an herbal lift.

This has the luxurious kick of the Lynch Bages stable and is brilliant value for this level of quality. It seems to manage this every vintage and is just such a brilliant drinking wine. 2018 is another excellent year here, with deep fruitfulness of brambled hedgerow alongside liquorice and woodsmoke. It has a polyphenol index of 84IPT, so this is full of tannins but they don't feel overpowering. Tasted several times and always striking. 45% new oak. 3.57pH.

This is very dense and lively with blueberry and blackberry character. Lots of purple fruit at the end. Full body and powerful tannins. Spicy undertones with hints of black tea.

The 2018 Ormes de Pez is dark, plush and enveloping. Smoke, cured meats, licorice, violet, crème de cassis and dried flowers give the 2018 striking nuance. Unctuous and intense in its ripeness, Ormes de Pez is decidedly opulent in 2018. The 14.6% alcohol is evident, and yet the wine shows terrific balance, as well as quite a bit of promise. The blend is 50% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.