Chateau Les Ormes de Pez 2016

The Ormes de Pez 2016 is a wine we have highlighted as one of the strongest ‘great value’ releases of the vintage. The village of St.Estephe according to Neal Martin ‘played a blinder in 2016’, the finest for the commune in decades and collectors should stock up here. The high preponderance of clay in the soil held water like a sponge through the dry period in the summer, July to harvest. Moreover, the warm and late harvest fully ripening the dense and focused Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, indeed the Merlot and Cabernet Franc excelled also. All this has resulted in Cos d’Estournel receiving a potential 98-100 point score, Montrose 97-99 and Calon Segur its finest modern vintage with 95-97 points. Ormes De Pez likewise has hit a home run, producing what we consider as their greatest modern vintage.

In 2016 Ormes de Pez has been awarded 92-94 points by the Wine Advocate, a wine Martin singles out as the best value for money. This will certainly be its highest ever score, a wine likely to reach 93 or 94 points, yet priced today at £250 per case of 12, or £125 per case of six. Our advice is get this one in the cellar, which for less than £21 a bottle will reward handsomely, a wine that greatly impressed during en primeur tastings. The price is extremely appealing and it is likely to be the lowest POP (Price Over Points) score of any wine heralding from St.Estephe. The 2005 vintage, which is 2016’s inferior trades today at £330 per case so this extraordinary 2016 release price will look inexpensive in the coming years and will be one of the most rewarding buys of the campaign.

Ormes de Pez is one of the stand out Chateau in St.Estephe sited in the northern part of the village surrounding the hamlet of Pez. It was purchased by Jean-Charles Cazes in 1936 and today is owned by Jean-Michel Cazes, the owner of Lynch Bages. This historic chateau dates back to 1792, when it was constructed after the sale and division of Chateau de Pez as a result of the French Revolution. It boasts stunning terroir and aspect, some of the best in the commune and the Cazes family have invested heavily in the Chateau and the vineyards. Ormes De Pez was classified as one of the 9 Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnels in 2003. In 2016, the Cazes family have produced special wines, Lynch Bages receiving 97-99 points, maybe its finest ever. Ormes De Pez with a score of 92-94 points surpasses many of the Grand Cru wines and certainly the second wine of Cos d’Estournel and Montrose, Pagodes de Cos and La Dame Montrose, yet its price today is 36% lower than the former’s release price and it will be similarly lower to the latter’s. In 2016 the blend is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 52% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and less than 15,000 cases were produced. This is a Ormes de Pez for the ages.

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez 2016, 12×75 – £250 EP

92-94 Points, Neal Martin, 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.

93-94 Points, James Suckling
Powerful and structured with lots of blueberry, blackberry and currant character. Full-bodied, tight and tannic yet polished and beautiful. Fantastic. Juicy.

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