Country: France Region: Bordeaux (Saint Estephe) Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Blend Vintage: 2019 Colour: Red Style: Dry Producer: Chateau Les Ormes de Pez Description: Ormes de Pez is one of the fastest improving wines in Bordeaux. Since 1940 this over performing Saint-Estephe has been under the ownership of the Cazes family – a name steeped in Bordeaux history and perhaps more synonomous with its more famous cousin, also owned by the Cazes family in Paulllac, Lynch Bages. (in fact, Lynch Bages is currently being made at Ormes de Pez while they rebuild their winery in Pauillac). Make no mistake: this is one of THE top performing wines from the appellation and over the last few vintages, tasting the wines from barrel during En Primeur – especially alongside its grander neighbours and Pauillac sibling – has been a real highlight. The overperformance of the past few vintages has actively switched our attention back on to this incredible Chateau; so when 2011 produced a stellar offering, we didn’t get what stocks we could. Whilst you wait for some of the Grand(er) Vins to mature this will be worth its weight in gold. Fine example of a Cru Bourgeois with blackcurrant leaf flavours. Medium bodied dry wine, great with steak or good cheese. Ch̢teau Tour de Pez is perfectly balanced, with intense aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, spices and fresh grapes. Power and volume characterise this wine. It is rich, elegant and refined, with charming complexity and mature tannins. Tasting Note:Garnet hued wine with a tawny rim showing some mature development. Good brambly fruit flavours with some herbaceous tones . Assertive tannins lead on to a smooth dry finish. Excellent weight and balance from a great vintage. Food Matches: Lamb / Venison / Soft Cheese 91 points Wine Enthusiast  This is a rich, full-bodied and complex wine. It shows dense tannins and equally dense fruits that are powered by the ripe black currant fruit flavors. There is a fresher component at the end, attractive and bright. Drink from 2017.  (5/2014) 90 points Wine Spectator  Focused and pure, with a tight beam of red currant, lilac, singed balsa wood and iron that stays tightly coiled through the finish. Not big, but defined and persistent. Best from 2015 through 2021.  (3/2014) Jancis Robinson  Meaty cassis. Firm, chewy, all structure at the moment. Dark and dense but not tough but making no effort to please. Though at the very end the fruit reappears as a reminder.  (4/2012) James Suckling  This is earthy and spicy, with a medium body, fresh acidity and a chewy finish. Needs two years at least to soften. Better in 2016.  (1/2014)