2025 de Pez (St-Estephe)

Plenty of density and silky tannins, with cassis, cappuccino and cocoa beans, high freshness but with real juice and flavour behind. 3.6ph. 8% of press wine. Frederic Rouzaud`s father bought this in 1995, and the estate then underwent 20 years of replanting, increasing the Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyard. The results are clear. 80% 225l oak and 20% foudres, 50% new oak, 3.6pH. 50% new oak. Harvest September 3 to 23. 93 points

The 2025 de Pez is a very serious wine. Blackberry, menthol, licorice, scorched earth, tobacco and incense are all beautifully amplified in the glass. There`s gorgeous textural breadth, complexity and class here. All the elements are so well balanced. 92-94 points

Aromas of dark fruit, pencil shavings and toasty oak introduce the 2025 de Pez, a medium- to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated wine with good balance and a youthfully structured finish. 89-91 points

The 2025 Chateau de Pez, which contains no Petit Verdot this year, is matured in 50% new oak for 18 months. Nicolas Glumineau said that he is trying to make this more refined with `layers of tannins`. It has a reserved nose, quite stony/minerally, with hints of graphite percolating through the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, unadulteratedly classic in style with an off-dry, quintessentially Saint-Estèphe finish. Tasted twice and, in fact, the second sample from a sample raised in a Cadus barrel with a lower toasting was better. 92-94 points