Château de Pez 2016 is a Merlot-dominant Bordeaux red from Saint-Estèphe, bottled at 13.9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast awarded this vintage 93 points, declaring the property "at the top of its game," while the Wine Advocate scored it 92–94 points and praised its tannic structure as among the finest the estate has produced.Quick Facts: ABV: 13.9% | Origin: Saint-Estèphe, Médoc, Bordeaux, France | Vintage: 2016 | Producer: Château de PezProduction & HeritageChâteau de Pez is one of the oldest wine estates in Saint-Estèphe, situated on the Pez plateau, and shares ownership with the celebrated Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac. The 2016 blend is 53% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot, and 1.5% Cabernet Franc, vinified in a combination of traditional large oak vats and conical stainless steel tanks with malolactic fermentation occurring in both oak and steel. The wine was aged for approximately 15 months in 40% new French oak barrels and released entirely unfiltered — a deliberate production choice the estate consistently emphasizes — preserving the wine's full texture and depth before bottling.Tasting NotesAroma: The bouquet opens with ripe blackcurrant and Morello cherry, followed by blackberry pastille and a delicate thread of crushed violets. Subtle undertones of cedar, graphite, and licorice develop with air, adding layers of aromatic complexity.Taste: The palate entry is generous and concentrated, led by dark plum, blueberry, and cassis fruit. Mid-palate, a fine line of acidity emerges alongside a notable saline minerality characteristic of the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The tannins are polished and precise, lending structural grip without austerity, while accents of vanilla, leather, and warm spice weave through the core fruit.Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering impressions of iron, singed alder, and dark cherry. The unfiltered texture gives the finish a satisfying weight that fades gradually into earthy, tobacco-tinged notes.How to Drink Château de PezThis is a wine built for the glass — serve it at around 16–18°C (61–64°F) and consider decanting for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the tannins to unfurl. Neat sipping is the primary recommendation, though a few minutes of air contact with each pour rewards patience handsomely. For red wine cocktails, its tannic backbone holds up well in a classic Kalimotxo for a casual exploration, a New York Sour where it can float as the red wine layer adding depth and color, or a Sangria built around dark fruit where the Pez's cassis-driven profile amplifies the punch of blackberry and citrus.Best For Cellaring for a milestone — the 2016 vintage has a drinking window recommended from 2024 onward with years of further development Gifting a Bordeaux enthusiast seeking quality Saint-Estèphe below classified growth pricing A special-occasion dinner centerpiece paired with rich, savory courses Building a Bordeaux 2016 vintage collection alongside higher-profile neighbors Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Château de Pez 2016 taste like? It delivers a concentrated core of blackcurrant, dark plum, and blueberry fruit supported by polished tannins and a distinctive saline minerality, with secondary notes of cedar, graphite, leather, and vanilla from 15 months in French oak.How does Château de Pez 2016 compare to Pichon Comtesse 2016? Both wines share the same ownership, but Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a classified Second Growth from Pauillac with higher critical scores and a significantly higher price point. Château de Pez offers a similar commitment to quality winemaking — including unfiltered bottling and new French oak aging — at a more accessible tier, making it a favored entry point for drinkers exploring the same stable.Is Château de Pez 2016 good for cellaring? Yes — Roger Voss specifically recommended drinking from 2024, and the wine's dense tannin structure and unfiltered concentration suggest it will continue to evolve positively for years beyond that window.Where is Château de Pez made? Château de Pez is located on the Pez plateau in the Saint-Estèphe appellation within the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France. The estate is one of the commune's oldest properties and sits among some of Saint-Estèphe's most respected vineyards.What foods pair well with Château de Pez 2016? Braised lamb shanks complement the wine's dense tannins and dark fruit. Grilled côte de boeuf highlights its saline, iron-edged minerality. Aged Comté or Ossau-Iraty cheeses mirror the earthy complexity. Duck confit benefits from the wine's acidity cutting through richness. Wild mushroom risotto echoes the cedar and leather undertones in the finish.What sizes does Château de Pez 2016 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, though some Bordeaux estates also release magnums (1.5L) for select vintages depending on market allocation.Is Château de Pez 2016 worth the price? Château de Pez positions as a premium Cru Bourgeois-level Saint-Estèphe that consistently punches above its classification. With 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, a Gold medal at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris, and ownership that brings Second Growth expertise to the winemaking, the 2016 vintage represents strong value within the broader landscape of the celebrated Bordeaux 2016 vintage.Why Château de Pez 2016?The 2016 Bordeaux vintage is widely regarded as one of the decade's finest, and Château de Pez seized that opportunity with a wine that drew some of its highest critical praise in years. The unfiltered production approach preserves a textural depth that many competitors at this tier sacrifice for earlier approachability. Its 93-point score from Wine Enthusiast and 92–94 from Wine Advocate place it in rare company for a non-classified estate in Saint-Estèphe. For anyone seeking the structural seriousness of the Left Bank — big tannins, saline minerality, concentrated dark fruit — without the price tag of neighboring classified growths like Montrose or Cos d'Estournel, this is among the most compelling bottles in the appellation.
