Château Ormes de Pez 2012

The balance and aromatic expression of a Saint-Estèphe red wine

The estate

Founded in the 18th century, Château Ormes de Pez is located in the Médoc, in the Saint-Estèphe appellation. Owned by the Cazes family since 1939, Château Ormes de Pez has undergone major renovations and modernisation, of both the tools and the vineyard. The estate takes its name from the word "pez" meaning "peace" in the local dialect, also meaning the elm trees that once were found on the estate before this variety died out in Europe.

The wines of Château Ormes de Pez are produced with the same care and attention as those of the Cru Classé de Pauillac Château Lynch-Bages, which also belongs to the Cazes family. Reflecting the typical style of Saint-Estèphe, the wines of Château Ormes de Pez combine generous and bright fruit with a fleshy texture and powerful body, promising a very good ageing potential.

The vineyard

Château Ormes de Pez is a Saint-Estèphe wine made from a 35-hectare vineyard planted on two distinct terroirs. The famous Garonne gravels, gravelly plots on quartz and pebble soils on which the Cabernet grapes truly thrive. The terroir of Château Ormes de Pez is also marked by the presence of sandy-clay plots which are cooler and favourable to the Merlot varietal. The vines are 35 years old on average.

The vintage

An unstable winter preceded a rainy and cool spring. Despite the pleasant temperature variations, the particularly hot and dry summer conditions led to a heterogeneous ripening of the grapes. The impact of the water stress was minimised thanks to the deep gravel and clay soils which ensured a gradual ripening of the grapes. The harvested grapes are perfectly ripe and balanced.

Vinification and ageing

The hand-picked grapes are rigorously sorted in the vineyard. Aged in oak barrels for 14 months (45% new oak).

The blend

Château Ormes de Pez 2012 comprises a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Merlot (44%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot (2%).