Ormes de Pez 2018

Tasted blind. Marked acidity and not-quite-ripe tannins. Quite challenging at this point but there is fruit there and this may simply need time. 14.5%Drink 2030 – 2045

41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot; 45% new oak. pH 3.57. Barrel sample. Deep, dark black-cherry colour. Rich aroma of small, concentrated black berries and some toasty oak. Quite dry on the palate, especially in conjunction with the thick if rounded tannins. Really chewy but the fruit does sneak out again at the very end – it is there but hidden at the moment. (JH) 14.6%Drink 2028-2038

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.

(50 Merlot, 41 Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 Cabernet Franc, 2 Petit Verdot) | 45% new oak for 15 months | 13% alc | 40 hl/ha This is one of the finest young Ormes de Pez I have tasted. There is amazing intensity of fruit here and while the oak is quite powerful, there is more than enough intensity of flavour to get away with it. Well-made and a success in this vintage this is a wine which will age well, too.

The 2018 Les Ormes de Pez is matured in 45% new oak, with 14.6% alcohol and an IPT of 84. Jean-Charles Cazes told me that this year there is more Merlot due to restructuring of the vineyard so that there is no almost 50% every year. It has a glossy, opulent bouquet with black cherries, kirsch and blueberry fruit, slightly confit in style and to be honest, just missing Saint Estèphe typicity. The palate is again, sweet and rich with layers of black fruit laced with black pepper and spices. This is a wine that coats the mouth, voluminious and powerful, a hedonistic Les Ormes that is enjoyable, but not my favourite vintage in recent years. 2022-2036

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. Drink: 2022 - 2037

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.