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Chateau Les Ormes de Pez

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez takes its name from the village of Pez near St Estèphe, as do the other nearby cru bourgeois properties of de Pez and La Tour de Pez. Les Ormes translates as elms, and betrays the presence of a copse of these trees, long since disappeared, near the chateau.

The earliest records concerning the property inform us that during the 19th century it was owned by Marcel Alibert, a local councillor, who was also the proprietor of the fifth growth Haut Médoc estate Chateau Belgrave, just west of St Julien. Alibert sold Les Ormes de Pez in 1927 to the Société Civile du Haut Médoc, a firm headed up by a Dutchmen Dirk Christofel Meiners, but within two years the business was in serious financial trouble and was rescued by the brokers Louis and Edouard Miailhe. They subsequently sold the property to Jean-Charles Cazes, whose sister had been vineyard manager at the estate under the direction of Alibert, having taken on the role in 1880 upon the death of her husband, who was manager before her. From Jean-Charles the estate was passed to his son André and then to Jean-Michel Cazes, who also owned Lynch-Bages, and oversaw operations at several AXA-Millésimes properties including Pichon-Baron and Suduiraut. In recent years, however, it is the next generation, Jean-Charles, that is taking on more and more responsibility for the winemaking at the Cazes properties.

The vineyards are located in two plots north and south of the village of St Estèphe, on the sand and gravel that is typical of the commune. There are 33 hectares in all, with 70% of the vines Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot. They have an average age between 25 and 30 years, and are planted at a density of 9000 vines/ha. The harvested fruit is destemmed and then vinification of destemmed grapes takes place in a restored stable, extensively renovated in the 1993, using stainless steel and temperature control. Malolactic occurs in vat, and the wine then sees fifteen months in second-hand barrels from Lynch-Bages, with several rackings. Barrels aren't alone in their travels between Lynch-Bages and Ormes de Pez, the Lynch Bages winemaking team, led by Daniel Llose, also looks after Les Ormes de Pez. The wine is fined and filtered before bottling. The result is Chateau Les Ormes de Pez, a firm, robust wine typical of its commune which offers good value. There is no second wine.

As Bordeaux prices seem to climb ever upwards, those that have to keep their feet on the ground will need estates such as this in order to remain in touch with Bordeaux. There is good quality here, often at a good price. We can only hope that this remains the case in years to come. (26/8/04, updated 1/6/07)

Contact details:
Address: Chateau Ormes de Pez, 33180 St-Estèphe
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 56 73 24 00
Fax: +33 (0) 5 56 59 26 42
Internet: www.ormesdepez.com

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez - Tasting Notes

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Chateau Les Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) 2009: This wine has a vibrant hue, and a nose of dark cherry and damson fruit, with a sweet and rather roasted character. Rather bold on the palate, with a nice firm substance. There is a ripe core of tannins, vigorous acids. This is very well composed and a real success on the commune. Bravo for this consistent over-performer! From my 2009 Bordeaux primeur assessment. 16-17+/20 (March 2010)

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) 2008: Fine and fresh character on the nose, dense but fresh and nicely expressed. The palate is similarly dense and stylish, creamy, coating the mouth with dark summer fruits. Underneath, a good firm tannic backbone. Good acids too. A big, substantial but very successful wine. A good effort. From my 2008 Bordeaux primeur assessment. 16-17+/20 (April 2009)

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) 2007: Rather dense but also somewhat withdrawn nose. Dry fruit on the palate, lean substance, some firm tannins. Lots of grip and extract here behind the thin fruit, and a smoky, charcoaly hardness. Seems a touch overworked I think. From a tasting of 2007 Bordeaux at two years of age. 14+/20 (October 2009)

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) 2006: Warm and spicy fruit here, nutty oak, and a ripe and supple character on the palate. It has a well composed style, with a vigorous acid backbone and plenty of tannic grip beneath. Ripe, attractive, although a little dry and dusty. From a tasting of 2006 Bordeaux at two years of age. 15.5+/20 (October 2008)

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) 2004: An attractive nose here, characterised by accessible, forward, rather seductive fruit with little nuances of pickling spices. The palate has firm but very integrated, well knit tannins and a precise acidity, with a good flavour. This has been well put together. From my 2004 Bordeaux assessment. 16+/20 (October 2006)

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) 2003: A pleasing nose; nutty, with some pickling spice intensity, and notes of beetroot fruit. Pleasant palate, a little suppleness to it, but also rather a burnt feeling to the tannins. Seems extracted and rather brawny. Quite obvious acidity too. It all seems a little out of kilter. Merely quite good. From my 2003 Bordeaux assessment. 14.5/20 (October 2005)

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) 2001: Ripe black fruits and a hard, stony character on the nose. Lovely palate. Good texture and a brawny, dark fruit character. Ripe and full. Firm midpalate tannins. Correct acidity. This has potential. Needs four years plus. 15+/20 (May 2004)

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) 1999: A sweet and aromatic red fruit nose. Good texture on the palate though. There's also quite a bit of unresolved tannin, which is nicely balanced with correct acidity. Has some potential. Needs three years. 14.5+/20 (November 2003)

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) 1996: This wine has a lovely colour, still with a vibrant raspberry-red rim, despite notes of obvious maturity too. The nose holds much promise, with a very stony, crisp, mineral personality, with notes of crushed raspberries and liquorice. Delightful freshness on the palate, with a crisp, minerally texture, but with a fine balance of terse tannins and fine acidity. This has a really fine presence on the palate, is beautifully fresh, and yet has a touch of warmth. Really very good style here, nicely integrated, and ready to drink. From a 1996 Cru Bourgeois tasting. 17/20 (April 2007)

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez (St Estèphe) 1996: A good red purple wine. Classic St Estèphe on the nose, with a hard, gravelly edge to the abundance of cedary, smoky, cigar box and austere blackcurrant fruit. There is an attractive, somewhat hard edge on the palate, this is offset by a good quantity of fruit and a full and rounded texture. The tannins underpin the whole affair giving good structure, but are otherwise barely noticeable. Delicious stuff, classically styled, and the wine of the tasting. Drinking very well now, and over the next 4-5 years. From a Cru Bourgeois tasting. 17+/20 (April 2002)