2022 Château de Pez St-Estèphe

VIN94 The 2022 de Pez is a stellar wine. Plum, blood orange, exotic spice, cedar and new leather fill out the layers. Technical Director Nicolas Glumineau has increased the focus at Pez through stricter selection in the field and greater attention in the winery—something made easier with the new cellar. Among other things, the team also lengthened élevage to 18 months from the more typical 12-15 months. The 2022 is a major step forward at Pez.
WS94 Black cherry and dark currant fruit is lightly mulled in feel, while sweet tobacco, chestnut leaf and singed alder notes wrap around it. The earth-tinged finish shows focus and poise. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2038.
JS94 Serious depth and complexity on the nose, showing a refreshing touch of spearmint to the pure blue fruit, cassis and minerals plus a hint of incense and graphite. Powerful but polished and taut in tannins with a linear set of fruit on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Structured, fine-boned and well-dissolved with a fresh, lengthy finish. 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 59% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Great for aging. Drink from 2027.
JD94 Juicy red, blue, and black fruits, sappy herbs, violets, and chocolate notes all emerge from the 2022 Château De Pez, a ripe, full-bodied, opulent Pez that has a balanced, layered style that’s already hard to resist. I love how this has come together since En Primeur, and this is well worth a case purchase. It’s going to deliver the goods any time over the coming two decades or more. Drink 2025-2045.
DEC94 Lively, fresh and open with lots of clear and clean red berry fruit and salty, stone-edged tannins. Sleek and svelte, nice energy and focus; not plush or overtly powerful. Has definitely lost its en primeur heft and become slightly lighter and more appealing, with energy and vibrancy, yet you still know it has muscles and will age well. Drink 2026-2038.