At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Appellation
- Saint-Estèphe
- Classification
- Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
- Estate history
- Established in the 18th century
- Defining feature
- Named for elm trees formerly grown on the property
The Producer
Château Ormes de Pez has belonged to the Médoc landscape since the 18th century. Close to 18,000 cases are produced each year. Its vines average 30 years old, with a planting density of 9,000 vines per hectare.
The estate carries Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel classification. Its red wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, with Merlot forming the largest share of the current composition.
Place
West of Saint-Estèphe, Château Ormes de Pez borders the hamlet of Pez. The soil is gravelly with a slight sandy-clay composition.
Gravel generally drains quickly, while clay holds moisture around the roots. In a red vineyard, that combination can support ripening while limiting standing water after rain.
Wines
Château Ormes de Pez is a red Saint-Estèphe blend composed of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The wine ages for 16 months in French oak barrels, with 45% new wood.
New oak can contribute toast and spice while allowing gradual oxygen contact during ageing. The tannic framework gives the wine an opulent palate and a rounded shape.
Final Word
Château Ormes de Pez is a Saint-Estèphe red blend with opulence and rounded tannins, made under the name of the elm trees that once stood on the property.