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We love seeing the results of blind tastings, and 2016 Ormes de Pez is a perfect example of why. Neal Martin awarded it the same 96-point score as 2016 Mouton Rothschild, yet it comes in at just €37.50 IB per bottle. Perfect provenance, direct from Bordeaux.

2016 Ormes de Pez

96 Points - Neal Martin

“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. […] 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!)”

Chateau Ormes de Pez is one of Saint-Estèphe’s great value estates, owned by the Cazes family of Lynch-Bages. Situated on gravel, clay and limestone soils, the estate consistently produces deeply classical Left Bank Bordeaux with Cabernet-driven structure, freshness and impressive ageing potential. Under the Cazes family, quality has risen significantly, with the wines combining traditional Saint-Estèphe character with increasing polish and precision.

The results from the Southwold: 2016 Bordeaux, Ten Years On tasting are in, and one wine that really stood out was Ormes de Pez.

“I still view 2016 as a turning point for Bordeaux. It is a vintage in which winemakers’ and wine-lovers’ dreams came true” - Neal Martin

It became clear from the blind tasting results that one wine massively punched above its price point, with Neal Martin writing, “The 2016 Ormes de Pez was the biggest surprise of the blind tasting.”

He awarded the wine 96 points, placing it alongside names such as Mouton Rothschild, Le Pin and Montrose from the same vintage.

What makes this even more remarkable is that the wine achieved these scores in blind tastings against some of Bordeaux’s biggest names, proving just how serious the quality is in the glass. This is classic Saint-Estèphe with genuine pedigree and ageing potential.

Now with nearly a decade of bottle age, the wine is entering a beautiful drinking window while still having the structure to age gracefully towards 2060.

At just €37.50 In Bond per bottle, this has to be one of the standout value offers we’ve seen all year.

Grab them while you can; it took some negotiating to secure these as demand has surged following the latest reviews.

Ormes de Pez 2016

€37.50 In Bond per bottle

€46.17 inc NL VAT per bottle

ETA October

96 Points | Vinous, Neal Martin

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

18.50 Points | Jancis Robinson

Tasted blind. Glossy fruit and polish with real concentration of ripe tannins underneath. Great purity and appeal. Very rich underneath. Dramatic! Great balance. Dry end. Very long. This one is a long-distance runner. [VGV] (JR)

94 Points | Jane Anson

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.

94 Points | Wine Enthusiast

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.

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