Chateau Ormes de Pez Saint-Estephe 2020

Decanter

Blueberry, raspberry and cassis, there is concentration but also juice. Merlot-dominant (following a restructuring of the vineyard to better align grapes with terroir) with bite and freshness. A lovely smoky edge here, this is another successful vintage for Ormes de Pez. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.69ph. 45% new oak. A yield of 42hl/ha which was not as low here as at Lynch Bages because of more clay in the soils, and because the Merlot was less impacted by the drought than the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jeb Dunnuck

A blend of 54% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2020 Château Ormes De Pez offers up a great perfume of red and black currants, sweet tobacco, sandalwood, and spice. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with ripe tannins and good overall balance, it's another terrific 2020 that offers pleasure even today yet will evolve for 15+ years if well stored.

Wine Spectator

Fresh and direct, with lilac and savory notes running with a core of damson plum and red cherry coulis. Reveals a piercing iron note on the sneaky long finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2034.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

"Nuances of smoke, chocolate and spice along with a bushel of ripe blackberries and currants offer up their fragrance with no effort. On the palate, the wine is even better with its layers of ripe, sweet, creamy, black and red fruits, olives and cocoa that hold your interest. This is going to be delicious with only a modicum of aging. Drink from 2024-2038."

James Suckling

Bitter chocolate, blackberries, dried mint and tobacco leaves on the nose. Firm and linear, with a medium body and tight tannins. Tangy acidity. Sharp and clear cut. 54% merlot, the highest percentage ever, the rest cabernet sauvignon with a touch of petit verdot. Better in 2025.

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Nuances of smoke, chocolate and spice along with a bushel of ripe blackberries and currants offer up their fragrance with no effort. On the palate, the wine is even better with its layers of ripe, sweet, creamy, black and red fruits, olives and cocoa that hold your interest. This is going to be delicious with only a modicum of aging. Drink from 2024-2038.

Robert Parker

Aromas of sweet cherries, berries and spices framed by creamy new oak, introduce the 2020 Ormes de Pez, a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy wine that's polished and seamless, with a generous core of fruit and an extroverted, charming profile.

Antonio Galloni

The 2020 Ormes de Pez is a very pretty, fragrant Saint-Estèphe that will drink well right out of the gate. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint, spice and white pepper lend terrific brightness throughout. The 2020 is not terribly complex, but it is very easy to like and drink. Charming.

La Revue du Vin de France