Here we have the Famille J-M Caze winery, which originated in Bordeaux and spread across France and into Portugal, telling us about their history and the wines they will be pouring at the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2026. Enjoy.
Some Background About Famille J-M Caze
The Cazes family originally came from the mountainous Ariege region and settled in the Medoc in 1875. On the eve of World War II, Jean-Charles who was the first winemaker of the family, acquired Château Lynch-Bages in Pauillac and Château Ormes de Pez in Saint-Estephe.
In the 1960s, André Cazes played a determining role in the history of the Lynch-Bages vineyard, which he restored and extended. In the mid-1970’s, his son Jean-Michel, became a recognised ambassador of the wines of Bordeaux, and a wine tourism pioneer. He then created a wine merchant company, JM. CAZES SÉLECTION, and launched his own wine brand, Michel Lynch.
Besides Bordeaux, the Cazes family is developing new vineyards in the south of France and Portugal: in 2002, in the Languedoc, with the acquisition of Domaine de L’Ostal; while during the same year, they teamed up with a winemaker friend, Jorge Roquette, to create Roquette & Cazes, a fine wine from Portugal’s Douro Valley. Domaine des Sénéchaux, an emblematic vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, was acquired a few years later. In 2017, the purchase of Château Haut-Batailley, a fifth Cru Classé, strengthened the family ties in Pauillac.
While the taste of wine was at the heart of his enthusiasm, Jean-Michel Cazes created the Relais & Châteaux Cordeillan-Bages in 1989. In 2003, he began renovating the village of Bages. Today, visitors can enjoy the Café Lavinal terrace, wine-tasting courses, the Bages Bazaar boutique and customised winemaking experiences with VINIV.
Jean-Charles Cazes, at the head of the fourth generation, is perpetuating the family philosophy of wine and the art of living.
The Wines We Will Feature at the International Festival Tasting Room
Domaine L’Ostal Cazes Rosé Pays d’Oc IGP 2024 – Since 2011, L’Ostal Rosé is made from equal quantities of Grenache (50%) and Syrah (50%) grown on the coolest terroirs of the Domaine and the Pays d’Oc region…L’Ostal Rosé reveals a frank, very pale rosé colour with silvery reflections. Its nose is intense, very fruity with small tart berries aromas and exotic notes (orange, passion), quite rare. On the palate, the rosé unveils a beautiful freshness with good acidity. The explosion of aromas, well balanced, keeps the gourmet character of the wine…
Michel Lynch Bordeaux AOC Rogue 2023 – Generous, balanced and round on the palate, with firm, ripe tannins… and with its lovely brilliant garnet colour, the Michel Lynch red displays notes of blackcurrant and fresh bread, with an overall impression of ripeness and power. It is the harmonious embodiment of the terroirs of the Bordeaux region, combining the richness of the left bank of the Garonne, Médoc and Graves, with the roundness of the wines from Fronsac, Côtes de Castillon, or from the Blaye area on the right bank. The fruitiness of the Michel Lynch red can be enjoyed young, at 18°C, with red or white meat, game and cheese.
Château Ormes de Pez Saint-Estèphe AOC Famille JM Cazes 2019 – 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. The wine is fresh, refined and velvety with intense purplish garnet colour and a characteristic nose marked by aromas of fresh black berries (blackberries, blackcurrants). Ormes de Pez 2019 offers big well-rounded tannins, typical of Cabernet Sauvignon, but also fruity aromas brought by the Merlot, and a complexity introduced by toasted notes acquired from ageing in barrels.
Château Villa Bel-Air Graves AOC Rouge 2022 – A blend of Merlot 52%, Cabernet Sauvignon 44%, and Cabernet Franc 4%. The colour sits between ruby and purple, boasting a deep, intense hue. On the nose, it opens with aromas of blackberry and liquorice, complemented by subtle hints of spice. The palate is bold and layered, yet smooth and full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins. It finishes with a long, velvety elegance.
Pauillac AOC (Troisième) Famille JM Cazes 2020 – A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. A beautiful purple and shiny colour and offers fruity and toasted notes, a characteristic nose of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Frank and supple in the attack, the palate is smooth with a silky tannic structure which gives it a nice balance based on freshness.
