Château de Pez 2020

Subtly fruity; elegantly structured, with polished tannins and ideal length; stylish, excellently crafted.

This has a bright sanguine note amid the core of lilac, red currant coulis and damson plum flavors. Long and sleek through the finish, with mouthwatering cut. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2035.

Needs time to open. Marvellous mineral aspects and salinity with superior tannic grain. Time in glass reveals cigar box from the Cabernet, plus high-toned raspberry, ripe plum and cedar. Cellar at least three years before enjoying. Potential for a higher score later.

Ripe berries, plums, spice and cedar aromas follow through to a medium body, creamy tannins and a delicious finish. Some nice acidity here too. Thyme character to the fruit at the end. Try after 2024.

The 2020 Château de Pez has a far superior bouquet than the Deuxième Vin, with blackberry and mulberry, pressed violet and then peony. The palate is medium-bodied with firm and quite saturated tannins. Fine backbone here, fresh and saline with a vibrant finish. Maybe not the most persistent Saint-Estèphe yet there is impressive weight.

Black currants, cedar, mint and cocoa show right off the bat in the nose. On the palate you find intensity, ripe, sweet, creamy blackberries, lift and length with a soft, engaging finish that delivers a lot of bang for the buck. This is probably the best vintage of Chateau de Pez I have ever tasted. Drink from 2024-2045.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, discreet brightening on the rim. Delicately savoury-scented dark wild berry fruit, a hint of blackberry, tobacco nuances. Medium complexity, red cherry, mineral texture, ripe tannins, delicately salty finish, seems light-footed and accessible.

I was able to taste the 2020 Château De Pez on multiple occasions, and it never failed to impress. This outstanding Saint-Estèphe reveals a semi-opaque purple hue as well as textbook aromatics of ripe black and blue fruits, truffly earth, violets, and leafy tobacco. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has a silky, elegant mouthfeel, light tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and outstanding length. It lacks a touch of oomph, but this balanced, graceful, incredibly pure 2020 will benefit from just 4-5 years of bottle age and should see its 20th birthday in fine form.

Purplish red with a purple rim. Restrained opening with hints of tobacco leaf, Sichuan pepper and small black berries, followed by rosewood and elderberry lozenges. On the firm palate, a tight-knit tannic corset, finely crumbly extract and a sinewy body. In the focused finish, wild cherry, sloe juice and dark minerality, rounded out.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: spicy, peppery, powerful bouquet, black cassis, liquorice, smoke, noble woods. Dense, velvety, powerful palate with intense dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, creamy, finely muscular structure, long, aromatic finish. Has room to improve.

Spicy, peppery, powerful bouquet, black cassis, licorice, smoke, fine woods. Dense, velvety, powerful palate with dark, concentrated fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a creamy, finely muscular structure, and a long, aromatic finish. Can improve further. 17/20 2026 - 2045

Supple, easy to approach, muscular tannins that showcase the unfussy heft of St Estèphe, wrapped in dark chocolate and pencil lead. Plenty of black fruits as well, another confirmation now the wines are in bottle that St Estèphe did well in 2020. 45% new oak.

The 2020 de Pez is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts with bold notions of fresh blackberries, blackcurrants, and kirsch, followed by hints of wild sage, crushed rocks, and damp soil. The medium-bodied palate is crunchy and intense with a lively backbone and plenty of bright black fruits on the long finish.

91-92

2020 is the third vintage in a historic trio for the estate. The wine may be the most complete of them all, with a magnificent structure and great purity. A wine that is both straight, precise, and indulgent in its expression of fruit on the finish.

What brilliance! The fruit bursts from the first notes, telling of the heat that swelled the berries. The same impressions return on the palate, carried by playful little tannins. Freshness and energy are there, pulling the finish toward a tangy, mouthwatering register.

The nose is elegant, racy, precise, with an almost incisive edge, freshness, finesse and a subtle intensity. On the palate, this wine shows notes of ripe blackcurrant, ripe strawberry and, more slightly, ripe/plump raspberry, accompanied by touches of ripe small fruits, fine hints of tea, white pepper and spice, and a subtle saline note. The palate is fruity and offers freshness, minerality, good definition, lovely fine grain, elegance, subtlety, as well as good definition, roundness, a compact side yet with beautiful precision/finesse and a slight glycerol-like richness. On the palate, the wine delivers notes of juicy/plump blackcurrant, violet and, more slightly, bursting raspberry, combined with touches of fleshy/plump strawberry, hints of pulpy blue fruits, licorice, chocolate, and fine hints of vanilla. The tannins are supple and elegant. Good length. A slight chew on the finish/persistence.

Beautiful deep red. Intense, fruity, and fresh nose. Well-built, flavorful palate, but ultimately it lacks grace. Medium body and length.

Indulgence and suppleness define its very juicy palate. Already very pleasing, from the subtle yet distinctly Médoc nose, with graphite tones, through to the palate where grainy tannins provide momentum, and finally to a finish that is once again juicy and indulgent.

If the 2nd already signals finesse, the 1st can only feel challenged—or rather motivated. From the very first aromas, the wine stands out for its freshness and fruity notes. The wine has energy, vigor, clarity, and above all harmony. Finesse above all: more than ever, this leitmotif makes it possible to craft great wines, especially in 2020.

This wine is dense, classic for Saint-Estèphe. Bold black fruits and dark hues are set to give a wine that will take its time. Tannins are surrounded by berry fruits and richness. Drink from 2027.