Château Ormes de Pez 1998

A successful effort, as well as a reasonably good value, this dark ruby/purple-colored 1998 exhibits copious quantities of cassis fruit along with earthy, underbrush notes. Medium to full-bodied, with fine concentration, excellent texture, and a soft, spicy, peppery finish, it will drink well for 10-12 years.

Pleasant young wine. Violet and cherry aromas with hints of berries. Medium-bodied, with fine, silky tannins. Best after 2004.

Bright, wine-red color with a fine rim at the edge. A floral bouquet with a cool, fresh expression, tobacco and green leaf notes, underpinned by warming barrique tones. Lean, grainy palate, again with a pronounced toasty note, already showing subtle chocolate nuances in a slender yet elegant finish.

99: Barrel sample (16/20): slender bouquet, hints of lilac, blueberry fruit with a floral touch. On the palate also slim, juicy, long, but actually rather little body; it could do with a bit more concentration. 02: Floral, coolly expressive bouquet, tobacco and green leaf notes, with warming barrel notes underneath. Grainy, slender palate, again a strong toasty note, already a fine hint of chocolate in the slim yet elegant finish (16/20). 05: Just took a quick sip from the glass when we had the wine at Lynch-Bages. A very disappointing wine for its reputation (15/20). Probably a bad bottle, or what we experienced at the Metzgete clearly came with a “large-format bonus”. A Nebuchadnezzar (15 litres!) only lasted two hours, because the 60 guests really appreciated this soft, easy-drinking St. Estèphe.

A sweet, silky bouquet with tobacco and blue berries. A velvety, medium-bodied palate with fine tannins and delicate fruit. Long, refined finish. 17/20 drink by 2015.

Deep dark red color. Good intensity. Nose of medium intensity. Subtle. Simple. Fruit, but also vegetal notes. A more animal note when swirled. The attack is very fruity, developing into roundness with a silky softness. The mid-palate is powerful. The finish, a little warm, with notes of licorice and fruit, also shows its vegetal side again. Needs time to soften. A pity, as there is real potential.