Chateau Ormes de Pez 2016

The 2016 Ormes de Pez was the biggest surprise of the blind tasting. No-one predicted such a strong showing and it proved its mettle not once, but twice. It has a well-defended and complex bouquet with black fruit, melted tar, freshly rolled tobacco and sous-bois scents emerging with time. Good intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, gentle but insistent grip, white and black pepper sprinkled over the structured and very persistent finish. A big Left Bank '16 but there is also finesse here. Outstanding. Tasted twice blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting (just to check!)

• Drinking Window: 2030 - 2060
• Reviewer Name: Neal Martin

This dense wine is full of generous fruits and a fine structure. Already balanced, notes of blackberry are hit with touches of spice and dark chocolate. Made by the team at Lynch-Bages, this has similar elegance.

A brilliant St Estèphe value in a vintage where you can almost buy blind in this appellation. Tight tannins even after a few hours of opening in bottle (not decanting), this has lashings of bitter dark chocolate, cocoa beans, espresso, cinammon shavings, mandarin peel and damson fruits, this has many years ahead of it. Owned by the Cazes family of Lynch Bages, 45% new oak. On deep gravel soils, picked by hand between September 27 and October 11, on its second year of optical sorting at this point.

• Reviewer Name: Jane Anson

The dark berries, sandalwood and cedar aromas are certainly memorable. Full-bodied, dense and rich in the center palate with ripe, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Dense and powerful. Try after 2025.

The 2016 Ormes de Pez is deep garnet-purple in color with red and black currants, earth, sage and chargrill on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied, refreshing and chewy with an herbal lift.

• Drinking Window: 2019 - 2031
• Reviewer Name: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
• Review Date: November 2018