2016 de Pez (St-Estephe)

The 2016 de Pez appears to be benefitting from a long-term replanting program at the estate. This is a blend of 53% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. The IPT is quite high at 80, and there is 13.9% alcohol. It has a pure and comely bouquet with black cherries and blackcurrant pastilles, just a touch of crushed violets that emerge with time. The palate is really quite lovely. very well balanced with a fine line of acidit ed to pick the Cabernet both before and after the October rains, allowing the tannins of the final Cabs to elongate and soften. 53% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. 91 points

If it was hard to get the blend just right in 2016, as Stéphanie Danglade claims, then the team at de Pez has succeeded. This is dark, dense and vigorous, with scented blackberry and plum fruit, clever use of oak and fine-grained tannins. Polished St Estèphe. Drink 2022-32. 92 points

The 2016 de Pez is a broad, ample wine. Charcoal, smoke, scorched earth, iron, licorice and grilled herbs add aromatic savoriness to a core of intense, dark red fruit. The virile, imposing tannins need time to settle down, but there is plenty to like and look forward to. 90-92 points