Appellations

Reserve de la Comtesse (2nd wine of Pichon Lalande) 2016

Pauillac, Second wine

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Tasting Notes

The 2016 Réserve de la Comtesse has an intense bouquet of blackberry, oyster shell and estuarine aromas; you can almost smell the Gironde. The palate is medium-bodied with quite gritty tannin on the entry. This is a more masculine Réserve de la Comtesse than I expected, grippy in the mouth and leading to a strongly saline, almost briny finish that I find very attractive. A serious second wine that will age longer than other vintages.

Score: 92 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2040 Date: 01 January 2019

The 2016 Reserve de Comtesse de Lalande is a blend of 37% Merlot, 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, with a modest alcohol level of 13.1% and a pH of 3.71. It has a tightly wound bouquet that perhaps needed more coaxing than some of its peers, but it was worth persisting, as it unveils some lovely cedar-infused black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin on the entry, moderate depth, a light marine influence upon the black fruit with a little creaminess on the finish. This is a fine Reserve de Comtesse that is on par with the excellent 2015 last year.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2022-2040 Date: 28 April 2017

Sensual, racy and inviting, the Réserve de la Comtesse is one of the very finest wines readers will find in its peer group. Sweet dark plum, rose petal, spice and chocolate notes build into the silky, beautifully resonant finish. The 2016 has so much to offer. Moreover, it is flat-out delicious. Don't miss it!

Score: 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2036 Date: 01 January 2019

The 2016 Réserve de la Comtesse is a serious second wine. Dark, ample and voluptuous, the Comtesse will give readers a very good idea of the style and quality of the vintage, namely the interplay of fruit, aromatic freshness and tannin that makes this vintage so compelling. Inky dark and purplish fruit, chocolate, licorice and lavender are some of the notes that infuse the huge finish. Silky, polished tannins add to the wine's considerable appeal. Don't miss it. Tasted three times.

Score: 90 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 25 April 2017

Polished and pleasurable. Not a single angle in evidence. What a wonderful wine this would be for an airline first class! But note relatively short drinking period. (17-)

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2027 Date: 18 April 2017

Solid, featuring a juicy, fleshy core of cassis and plum fruit, backed by a well-embedded iron edge. The sleek, pure, driven finish extends nicely, with a lingering savory echo.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 10 April 2017

A dense and powerful second wine from PL with layers of fruit and ripe, silky tannins. Shows tension and verve as well as polish. Excellent.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 24 March 2017