Château de Pez 2016

This De Pez is a small marvel of balsamic spice. The blend of 53% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc brings together licorice, stick licorice, black pepper and dried flowers. On the palate, very present fruit sweetness which, combined with the very well-integrated acidity, leads to great juiciness. Here, drinking pleasure and complexity come together in an impressive way.

This has a mix of red currant, dark plum and bitter cherry fruit flavors giving nice range from the start, while light tobacco, iron and singed alder notes check in as well. The taut finish has pebbly tannins and solid length. Cellar to let this unwind. Best from 2023 through 2033. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

Another bargain alert! At this price level, perhaps the most subtle and elegant of all wines tasted. Not as expressive as Ormes de Pez, but top marks for delicate refinement and indeed a noticeably floral aromatic profile that accentuates the palate. As wine consultant Kevin Gagnon noted at a tasting: ‘Finesse and great length.’ Do not hesitate.

St.-Estèphe is supposed to be a robust and hard wine, but this is elegant and sophisticated with fine cassis and lemon-peel aromas, polished tannins and a long, rather delicate finish. Drink or hold.

The 2016 de Pez has turned out well. Iron, smoke, savory herbs, menthol and scorched earth all give Pez its distinctive feral, savory profile. The tannins are still a bit tough, but time will help, to some degree. It will be interesting to see what the Roederer group does at de Pez moving forward, now that it is the Rouzaud family's sole holding in Saint-Estèphe.

Full-bodied, fresh and focused on its layers of sweet, ripe, luscious dark fruits, the wine offers a nice depth of flavor and real character.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, discreet brightening at the rim, delicate prune and fig, dark berry fruit in the background, candied orange zest. Juicy, blackberry, integrated tannins, sweet plum on the finish, persistent, has a lot to offer.

Made by Nicolas from Comtesse, the 2016 Château de Pez checks in as a blend of 42%, 53 Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Black cherries, green tobacco, some underbrush, and cedar pencil notes all flow to a medium to full-bodied, supple, elegant 2016 that still shows true Saint-Estèphe character.

From the dream vintage 2016, de Pez shows a lively, dark and deep cherry fruit that, together with a delicate hint of vanilla from barrel aging, radiates plenty of youthful freshness. There are also blackberry and blackcurrant notes and an earthy minerality reminiscent of graphite. On the palate, finely contoured, juicy-intense fruit, firm tannic grip and assertive freshness, along with the vintage-typical verve and very good length. It needs more time in bottle and, with some maturity, is headed toward 18/20.

Kunz barrel sample 17: silky, fruity bouquet, blueberries, black berries, tobacco, fine woods. Balanced, full palate with good sweet fruit, finely sandy tannins, dense, finely muscular structure, powerful aromatics, long, bitter finish.

Velvety, fruity bouquet, blueberries, black berries, tobacco, noble woods. Balanced, full palate with good, sweet fruit, finely sandy tannins, dense, finely muscular structure, powerful aromatics, long, bitter finish. 17/20 2024 - 2036

Lovely aromatics of ripe black fruits edged with violet flowers and smoked cedar. This is powerful, you feel the punch and the sense of momentum, impressive grip that opens up to show charcoal, chocolate and slate, lovely balance and character, young but starting to open up, full of class and appellation signature. One of the values of the tasting. Harvest September 20 to October 18, lasting almost a full calendar month.

Aromas of dark fruits and smoke, a structured, warm, highly woven palate with vigorous tannins, great freshness, and incredible length. Huge cellaring potential.

The 2016 is slowly integrating, retaining an imposing tannic structure. The wine is finding its balance, and it will still need to be cellared for a few more years.

Small black fruits. Fresh palate, broad tannins, still a bit tight, nice chew.

Garnet red with violet highlights. The 2016 bouquet reveals itself with precision, linear, with notes of blackberry, licorice wood, and spices. Lovely complexity. On the palate, the wine is compact and creamy on the attack. It has silky, perfectly integrated tannins in harmony with the structure. The wine is still coming together; it has everything it needs and the elements are starting to fall into place, but it requires time. Persistent finish.

The best ever made. Black color with purple highlights. Intense, refined, fruity, ripe, pure, subtle, and deep nose. Rich on the attack, then immediately juicy and highly fragrant mid-palate; the wine unfolds with power, a noble texture, and deep aromas. Finish is a touch austere, yet so flavorful. Very typical of Saint Estèphe. A complete renewal. Bravo! Note that I rate it higher non-decanted than decanted.

One of the many estates on the Pez plateau in Saint-Estèphe, this property is at the top of its game. Owned by the same proprietors as Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, the wine has structure, big tannins as well as dense black fruits. Drink from 2024.