2017 | Château Les Ormes de Pez | Saint-Estèphe | France

The Lynch-Bages team's St-Estèphe overachiever — a 92-point Cru Bourgeois that critics call one of the Médoc's best-value buys.

Château Les Ormes de Pez is the Cazes family's St-Estèphe estate, made by the same team as Grand Cru Classé Lynch-Bages. The polished 2017 is a Cabernet-Merlot Médoc blend with 45% new oak, and the critics lined up behind it — real claret with energy and stuffing at a fraction of classed-growth money.

A wine three major critics scored 91–92 doesn't usually sit at this price. 92 points Decanter, 91 Wine Spectator, 91 Jeb Dunnuck → the Cazes' classed-growth Lynch-Bages costs many times more → at $54.99 this is one of the Médoc's smartest buys.

• ~46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
• St-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel; 45% new oak
• Cazes family — the Lynch-Bages team
• Drink now through 2035

"Succulent, bristling and charming… juicy brambled fruit… blueberries and damsons with a swirl of vanilla bean oak." — Decanter (92). Translation: inky, perfumed purple fruit over ripe berries and gravel — polished, energetic claret that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Critically-acclaimed St-Estèphe from a first-growth team, priced like a bistro pour. Exactly the case-buy for everyday Bordeaux that punches above its class.