Appellations

Pichon Comtesse Reserve (2nd Wine Pichon Lalande) 2017

Pauillac, Second wine

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Tasting Notes

The 2017 Reserve de la Comtesse, which is matured in 30% new oak and 70% one-year old, has a really quite beautiful bouquet with perfumed blackberry, blueberry and subtle vanilla scents. The palate is medium-bodied with just a little sinew on the entry. There is certainly good weight and backbone here, quite saline compared to its peers with a slightly chalky finish with a touch of charcoal. Very fine. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2019-2030 Date: 01 May 2018

The 2017 Réserve de la Comtesse is a very serious second wine. Maybe too serious. Dense and closed in on itself, the Réserve offers notable depth and complexity. Time in the glass brings out the wine's more floral, red-toned side, but the 2017 remains tightly wound and not fully expressive. I tasted the Réserve three times, but still feel it was never totally put together.

Score: 88 - 91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 May 2018

Sweeter fruited than Pez, even lightly floral. Much better balance and more juicy on the palate. Lightish but all in proportion. Tannins are fine and they need to be with only moderate depth of fruit.

Score: 16 Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2023-2027 Date: 27 April 2018

Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Reserve de la Comtesse is very deep garnet-purple colored and opens with expressive cassis, dark chocolate, violets and Sichuan pepper notions with hints of black olives and hoisin. Medium-bodied, it's elegant, fresh and chewy in the mouth with a long, earthy finish.

Score: 88 - 90 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 27 April 2018

The second wine of Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, the 2017 Réserve de la Comtesse is a final blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Still aging in roughly 40% new French oak, it has a medium-bodied, rounded, moderately concentrated profile to go with classic Pauillac lead pencil, tobacco leaf, and assorted earth dark fruits. It’s balanced, charming and already approachable. Tasted twice.

Score: 89 - 91 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 23 April 2018

A beautiful second wine with blackberry and blackcurrant character and hints of green tea. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh finish.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 06 April 2018

The 2017 Pichon Lalande Réserve de la Comtesse (second wine) is tightly coiled, with a tarry frame around cassis and blackberry compote flavors. There's good brambly energy through the finish, with bright acidity, and this should be a fairly structured second wine.

Score: - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 04 April 2018

This is a wonderful second wine, and a real success in a vintage where second wines are often punching below their weight. It's rich, plump, floral-edged and above all extremely drinkable. It has a juicy frame and it delivers. A 2% pinch of Petit Verdot adds spice (and is added only after the press wine, the absolute final step to add depth, if needed). They used no secondary fruit at all. This should be good to go in five to six years. Tasted several times.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2022-2034 Date: 01 April 2018