De Pez 2016 (750ML)

94 DE / 94 JA / 93 JS / 93 WE / 92 JD / 92 WS / 92 VM

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. - PK, Decanter

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. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

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. - James Suckling

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. — Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiat

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. - Jeb Dunnuck

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. - JM, Wine Spectator

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. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media