Tech Notes
Wine Details
Wine Enthusiast
Jeb Dunnuck
James Suckling
Decanter
The Wine Independent
Wine Advocate
WTSO Member Rating: 91 Points
By Chateau Ormes de Pez
2017 Saint-Estephe
Technical Details
Blend: 51% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Surface: 35 hectares
Terroir: Garonne gravel
Harvest: Handpicked and sorted at the vineyard
Aging: 16 months in French oak barrels (45% new oak)
Owner: Famille J-M Cazes
Vintage Notes
After a very dry winter, bud break began early - around March 22nd for the earliest Merlots. The spring was relatively mild, marked by normal but regular rainfall, leading to expectations for an early vintage. The key event in 2017 remains the episodes of heavy morning frost (April 21st to 22nd, and again on April 27th to 29th). Only one plot located lower than the others and further away from the Gironde estuary suffered damage from this extreme phenomenon, the most severe the vineyard had seen since 1991. Vine growth resumed, and the first flowers were seen around May 26th. The good climatic conditions at the beginning of the summer allowed the vine to continue its active and homogenous growth. We observed the start of veraison eight days early - similar to 2003, or more recently, 2011. Ripening slowed at the beginning of September due to a few cool and rainy days, then resumed and proved particularly qualitative thanks to a magnificent autumn.
Harvest Notes
The grapes were traditionally harvested by hand by a team of about fifty people. The harvest was transported in 200kg containers. It took us 15 days to harvest our four traditional grape varieties. The Merlot was picked in six days, between September 18th and 23rd. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot were harvested in nine days, between September 25th and October 5th. It is worth noting that we began harvesting nine days earlier than in 2016.
Tasting Notes
Ormes de Pez 2017 is a fine and elegant full-bodied wine with a nose marked by aromas of fresh black fruit. Its structure is harmonious despite its young age, with aromas of blackcurrant and black cherry typical of the Merlot varietal and toasted notes. Beautiful aromatic persistence.
[Information provided by Beyerman]
Region:
Bordeaux
Vintage:
2017
Grape:
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Country:
France
Unit Size:
750.00 ML
Alcohol Percentage:
13.50
Appellation:
Saint-Estèphe
Wine: Chateau Ormes de Pez 2017 Saint-Estephe
Score/Rating: 93 - Editors' Choice
Review Date: 03/01/2020
Reviewed By: Roger Voss
Tasting Notes: A smoky as well as fruity wine, this stablemate of Lynch-Bages shows fine tannins as well as rich fruits. The wine is sure to develop well, so drink from 2024.
Wine: 2017 Chateau Ormes De Pez
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: 2020 - 2040
Review Date: 02/26/2020
Reviewed By: Jeb DunnuckÂ
Tasting Notes: A blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 51% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 45% new oak, the 2017 Chateau Ormes De Pez sports a healthy ruby color as well as classic notes of black cherries, mulberries, and blackcurrants interwoven with green tobacco and lead pencil notes. With medium to full body, ripe tannins, and good acidity, it's as classic as they come. It has some charm and approachability already (no doubt due to the high Merlot content) yet should evolve for two decades or more.
Wine: Chateau Ormes de Pez St.-Estephe 2017
Score/Rating: 92
Review Date: 01/10/2020
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: A beautiful red with aromas and flavors of plums, spices and burnt chocolate. Medium-bodied, creamy and fruity. Juicy finish. A blend of 51% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Drink or hold.
Wine: Chateau Ormes de Pez, St-Estephe, Bordeaux, France, 2017
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: 2022 - 2035
Review Date: 04/08/2018
Reviewed By: Jane Anson
Tasting Notes: Ormes has managed another good vintage after a run of them. This is a lovely wine and a buy for me. Succulent, bristling and charming, it has juicy brambled fruit extraction and tension. It doesn't take itself too seriously, just asking to be loved. The fruit spectrum is rich with blueberries and damsons, with integrity and a swirl of vanilla bean oak. Includes 6% Cabernet Franc in the blend. No need to wait too long for this. 45% new oak.
Wine: 2017 Ormes de Pez
Score/Rating: 90
Suggested Drinking Window: 2022 - 2031
Review Date: 12/29/2022
Reviewed By: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Tasting Notes: A blend of 51% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, Ormes de Pez 2017 has a deep garnet color. It pops with bright, vivacious blackcurrants, red and black plums, and scents of mulberries, plus suggestions of tilled soil and bay leaves. Medium-bodied, the palate is delicately styled and energetic, delivering savory-sparked black fruits and a minerally finish.
Wine: 2017 Ormes de Pez
Score/Rating: 90
Suggested Drinking Window: 2020 - 2030
Review Date: 03/16/2020
Reviewed By: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Tasting Notes: Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Ormes de Pez features black cherries and cassis notions over a core of fragrant earth, stewed tea and tobacco plus a waft of forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate is packed with juicy black fruit with a grainy texture and long, mineral-tinged finish.
Our members gave this wine an average score of 91 points! Help share your wine experience by rating bottles in your Cellar to add your personal review, notes, and ratings.
