With layers of wood, this is a structured wine, driven as much by tannins as fruit. It will need time for the dark plum fruit flavors to come through—St.-Estèphe is always likely to be firmly textured.
— R.V.
(2/1/2012)
92-94. Barrel sample. A very firm and closed wine. It has intense tannins, with the fruit following slowly behind. The structure is impressive, while the black-currant flavors are still to show.
— R.V.
(5/11/2012)
92–94. Barrel sample. Fruity and spicy, this is a fine, attractively fruity wine. While it doesn't have great weight, it has a core of dry tannins and a dark structure that suggests good aging for the future.
— R.V.
(4/11/2013)
91-93 Barrel sample. Power, dark tannins, black chocolate to go with the rich blackberry fruit flavors. The wine is solid, foursquare, very structured.
— R.V.
(8/9/2010)
91-93 Powerfully tannic wine, the dryness balanced with sumptuous fruit. The wine shows balance, although the tannins are a major element.
— R.V.
(6/25/2011)
This firmly tannic wine boasts solid structure and density. It has powerful concentration, due to very low yields. The fruit is ripe, driven by notes of black plum and berry. This is a wine with a long-term future.
— R.V.
(2/1/2013)
Dark, dry tannins are what good Saint-Estèphe is all about when young, and de Pez doesn’t disappoint. But it does more, with refined black plum skin flavors, a rich mix of spices and mint, and a refreshing streak of acidity. In 4–5 years, this will be an outstanding wine.
— R.V.
(6/1/2007)
Despite the hot 2003, this keeps an impressive sense of balance with dense rather than superripe fruit, herbs, black currant jelly and delicious touches of new wood. Structured to age, with dry tannins and acidity. A great success.
— R.V.
(11/1/2007)