Pichon Comtesse Reserve 375ml

The second wine of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. In the Bordeaux region the classified crus have mixed soils, but large enough tracts of land to make very rigorous selections. It is only the quest for excellence during the XVIIIth century that led the owners to elaborate several wines of different quality. Severe selecting is the guarantee of quality of a great wine, but also of a second wine. The archives kept at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande mention the existence of a second wine as early as the XIXth century.

Winemaker notes

Complex; on the nose, notes of gunflint, cedar and violet. The palate is pronounced, full and floral, backed by well-structured tannins, long in the mouth finishing on a tasty note of ripe apricot.

2018

Wine Advocate 92: This second wine represents 41% of the crop. Composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Reserve de la Comtesse springs from the glass with vibrant scents of ripe blackcurrants, black raspberries and baked plums, plus suggestions of pencil lead, cedar chest, ground cloves and lilacs. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly crafted with fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness nicely framing the delicate fruit, finishing earthy.

James Suckling 99: The concentration and largesse of the 2016 Pichon Baron is apparent from the get-go with incredibly alluring, ripe and expansive fruit aromas in the blackberry, dark-cherry, mulberry and plum zone. Espresso and cedar, as well as a slate-like, stony mineral edge add complexity. The palate has incredible depth, drive and detail. Fine and plush tannins stretch the palate in every direction. So fresh and vivacious, this is the greatest Pichon Baron since 1989 and has a long future. Try from 2024.

Vinous 91: My feeling about the 2018 Réserve de la Comtesse is pretty much the same as it was when I first tasted it en primeur. It is an attractive, gracious wine with plenty of immediacy and appeal, but not the depth of some previous editions. I imagine that mostly reflects the significant presence of young vine fruit here and the uneven quality of the growing season and vintage. I would prefer to drink the 2018 over the next decade or so.

2019

Wine Advocate 91: The 2019 Resèrve de la Comtesse is striking, soaring from the glass with scents of violets and rose petals mingled with cassis and dark berries. Medium to full-bodied, polished and succulent, it’s lively and seamless, with impressive concentration and a long, penetrating finish.

James Suckling 94: The stunning, ripe dark berries and plums on the nose are attractively dressed and deliver a wealth of assertively rich and juicy dark-fruit flavors on the palate, in balanced and elegant yet powerful style. The best Réserve de la Comtesse for some time. Second wine of Château Pichon-Lalande. Try from 2023.

Vinous 94: The 2019 Réserve de la Comtesse is elegant, silky and nuanced, with terrific presence and tons of pure class. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, blood orange, rose petal and spice all build with a bit of aeration. I am so impressed with the wine's breadth and textural intensity. The 2019 Réserve is without a doubt one of the best recent editions here.