2023 Les Ormes de Pez (St-Estephe)

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. 92 points

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. 91-93 points

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. 90-91 points

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. 91-93 points