Reserve de la Comtesse

Reserve de la Comtesse is 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.

2011

Wine Advocate 87: Pichon Lalande's second wine, the 2011 Reserve de la Comtesse offers juicy, cherry, red and black currant notes as well as a medium-bodied, elegant, finesse style. It is already drinking well and should continue to evolve nicely for another decade.

James Suckling 88: A wine with chewy tannins that are polished and refined but intense. Medium body with good fruit and a medium-fruity finish. Second wine of Pichon Lalande. Better in 2016.

2014

Wine Advocate 91: The 2014 Reserve de Comtesse de Lalande has a very fresh and vibrant bouquet with lovely cedar-infused black fruit that sings of Pauillac-ness (apologies for the made-up word!). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp and elegant with a keen line of acidity. This feels quite linear at the moment and perhaps the finish could have dealt more complexity commensurate with the aromatics. Yet there is bundles of freshness infused into this Deuxième Vin and there is a palpable salinity on the aftertaste.

James Suckling 92: Rose-petal, cassis-bush and berry aromas. Medium to full body, tangy acidity and a soft and velvety mouthfeel. Round and friendly. Second wine of Pichon Lalande. Drink in 2019.

Vinous 92: The 2014 Reserve de La Comtesse is a delicious second wine. Soft, open-knit and caressing, the 2014 offers striking textural depth to balance its dark red/purplish fruit. Spice, tobacco, menthol and licorice wrap around the juicy, super-expressive finish. A burst of aromatic freshness gives the wine its sense of proportion. The Reserve de La Comtesse is one of Bordeaux's most polished second wines, which, among other things, makes it an ideal red to drink over the next decade or so. The blend is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot.

2015

Wine Advocate 88: The medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Reserve de la Comtesse is a little tarry to begin, with red and black fruits, herbs and damp soil scents. Medium-bodied, firm, fresh and chewy in the mouth, it finishes a little green and herbal.

James Suckling 93: This is an impressive second wine. It shows a lot of vibrant red berries, blackberries and darker plum fruits. The palate is impressive for the vibrant and lively acidity cast amid sturdy but supple tannins. Second wine from Pichon-Lalande. Try from 2021.

2019 Pichon Comtesse Reserve

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 93: A pretty red with blackberry, cherry and currant. Some chocolate and walnut, too. It’s medium-bodied with integrated tannins and a polished finish. Hazelnut at the end.

Wine Enthusiast 94: The wine's richness is paralleled by its generous character and ripe blackberry flavors. Its texture is delicious, balancing structure and vibrant black fruits. Drink from 2025.