2018 Château Ormes de Pez, Cru Bourgeois St-Estèphe

This might prove one of the best buys this year. A stunning nose, juicy and dark, and with a saline, textured, detailed, complex, harmonious palate. There’s lift and layering on the finish. Brilliant.

Critic score
92/100

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WINE DETAILS

  • Region & country
    Saint-Estèphe, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
  • Grape
    50% Merlot
    41% Cabernet Sauvignon
    7% Cabernet Franc
    2% Petit Verdot
  • Maturity
    Young 2024 - 2045
  • Colour
    Red
  • Sweetness
    Dry
  • Style
    Still
  • Unit Volume
    Bottle (75cl.)
  • ABV
    14.5%
  • Classification
    Cru Bourgeois
2018 Château Ormes de Pez, Cru Bourgeois St-Estèphe

TASTING NOTES

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.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (April 2019)
(90—92)/100

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.

Jane Anson, Decanter (April 2019)
(93)/100

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.

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com (April 2019)
(93—94)/100

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.

Antonio Galloni, vinous.com (April 2019)
(89—91)/100