| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Owned and made by the Cazes family of Lynch Bages, this is a consistently good wine and deserving of cru classé status. The vineyard is planted with around 50:50 Cabernet and Merlot. Always good value, it can often be attractive in its youth but great vintages can mature for decades. (The 1989 and 1990 are still magnificent).
The 2023 is made from 55% Merlot and the rest Cabernets.
Aromas of dark berries, cassis and creamy new oak introduce the 2023 Ormes de Pez, a medium-bodied, rich and creamy wine with a lively core of fruit and sweet structuring tannins. At 55%, Merlot dominates the blend.
The 2023 Ormes de Pez was picked from September 19. This was tasted two or three times. I must confess, I was not taken by the bottle poured at Lynch Bages, which felt high-toned and a bit blowsy. However, the last bottle tasted at the UGC was far better: a more classically-hewn nose with tertiary notes of tar and graphite infusing the black fruit. Quintessential Saint-Estèphe. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and well balanced with gentle grip. The new oak (45%) is well integrated. Suffice it to say, this is much more promising.
Mid ruby purple in colour, the cool blackcurrant on the nose evokes a sense of place, laced with cedar, blackcurrant leaf and menthol. The palate is chiselled, laced with gravelly black fruit and dried leaves. An earthy, compact yet driven core of fruit is propped up by some sweet spice. Smoky, sappy and savoury on the finish.
A spicy and juicy red with a tight center-palate, medium body, creamy tannins and a savory finish. Vivid and focused. Shows finesse.
Plenty of Ormes de Pez sappy tannins and rich black fruit character, great quality, easy to recommend and should offer good value. No frost, and despite mildew pressure final yields of 51hl/h, 45% new oak, harvest September 14 through into October 4.
The 2023 Ormes de Pez is a powerful, bold Saint-Estèphe. Black cherry, gravel, incense, chocolate, tobacco, licorice and cured meat infuse the 2023 with tons of Saint-Estèphe personality. Burly and rustic, in a good sense, the 2023 has tons of character. The Merlots feel pretty ripe and exuberant in this sample.
55% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
Round and spicy with plenty of lift. Juicy fruit on the palate. Generous in style but with a structure not to be ignored. (JL) 13.5%
Drink 2030 – 2042
