Château Ormes de Pez 2018

The nose is aromatic and refined, very well crafted, with power and a touch of intensity. It shows notes of wild small red berries, wild strawberry and, more subtly, Sichuan pepper, alongside hints of blackberry, liquorice stick, touches of spice, a delicate hint of exotic spices and an extremely discreet, almost imperceptible touch of cocoa. The palate is fruity, balanced and refined, offering fine definition, juiciness, minerality and a gourmand character, with a delicate tangy acidic backbone, a touch of freshness and a little density. On the palate, the wine expresses notes of juicy blackberry, vibrant cherry and, more subtly, juicy/fresh small red berries, together with light touches of refined minerality, spice, rose, violet, hints of spice, and a very discreet touch of cocoa/vanilla. The tannins are precise. Good length. Score: 16/20

Very charming, the 2018 follows in the footsteps of previous vintages, with a lovely round, luscious mid-palate and very silky, refined tannins. A sure bet.

Powerful, austere, and robust structure; crisp and juicy, stylish, with class.

A blend of 50% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, aged in 45% new barriques, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Ormes de Pez comes tearing out of the glass with rambunctious notes of stewed black cherries, crème de cassis and raspberry pie, plus hints of Indian spices, dried Provence herbs and potpourri with a waft of woodsmoke. The full-bodied palate is decadently spicy with bags of black fruit preserves and a velvety texture, finishing long with lovely freshness.

Ripe and lively, with an iron twinge right from the start that pierces the core of red currant and bitter cherry fruit flavors. Lilac, charcoal and savory details dot the racy, mouthwatering finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2031.

Beautiful aromatics, this is thoroughly enjoyable with brambles and hawthorn that give focus and lift. 45% new oak. 3.57pH. Brilliant value, as ever.

The 2018 Les Ormes de Pez was a perplexing wine from barrel, when I felt it was unnaturally hedonistic. Now in bottle, it does not dispense with what is still a comparatively exotic bouquet for a Saint-Estèphe in this vintage: brash red fruit, kirsch and cassis aromas. This is quite seductive, but it just misses the DNA of the appellation. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy and corpulent, with saturated tannins and a ripe, licorice-tinged finish. I maintain that this is an enjoyable Les Ormes de Pez, but it is still not my favorite in recent years.

Peppery red fruits, tobacco leaf, cedar, and red currants grab your attention. From there, medium-bodied waves of ripe, juicy, crisp berries roll across the palate, their spicy overtone sealing the deal. Give this classically styled wine 4–5 years in the cellar and enjoy it over the following two decades.

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, delicate bright rim. Attractive fresh black forest berry fruit, mineral, cherries, candied orange zest. Juicy, ripe plums, pronounced fruit core, a breath of apricot, ripe tannins, good length, sure development potential.

Emerging from the team at Lynch-Bages, the 2018 Château Ormes De Pez checks in as 50% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all brought up in just 45% new French oak. Lots of perfumed blue fruits, leafy tobacco, cedar, and spring flowers emerge from the glass, and it has a rocking core of sweet fruit balanced by ripe tannins and nicely integrated acidity. This fresh, lively, perfumed Saint-Estèphe is going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 20-25+ in cold cellars.

Kunz barrel sample 19: herbal, dark, finely mineral bouquet, blackberries, black cherries, dark tobacco, slate, licorice. Medium-bodied, aromatic palate with finely sandy tannins, a subtly bourgeois structure, dark aromatics, and a long, herbal finish.

Herbs, dark, finely mineral bouquet, blackberries, black cherries, dark tobacco, slate, licorice. Medium-bodied, aromatic palate with finely sandy tannins, a subtly bourgeois structure, dark aromatics, long, bitter finish. 17/20 2024 - 2038

The 2018 Ormes de Pez is deep garnet-purple in color. It zips out with notes of kirsch, sassafras, and roses, with a core of warm cassis, blackberry pie, and cinnamon toast. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers intense red and black fruit layers, with ripe, grainy tannins and a vibrant, lifted finish.

The most complete in recent history, one of the clearest definitions of what we expect from a fine Saint-Estèphe, with the serious voluptuousness specific to this very special vintage.

The estate is under the same ownership as Château Lynch-Bages in Pauillac. Rich and smoky, this sophisticated, rich wine has some serious tannins as well as black fruits. The wine shows great pedigree, with dark berry fruits and a firm, ageworthy structure. Drink from 2026.