Reserve de La Comtesse - Pauillac Red 2019

Wine Region: Bordeaux - France

Grape: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc

Tasting notes: 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.

Expert rating: 
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate - 91/100
Wine Spectator - 90/100
James Suckling - 94/100
Decanter - 92/100
Vinous - 91/100
Jancis Robinson - 16++/20

About the winery: The famous Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, "Pichon-Lalande" as it is referred to colloquially, comes from the same domain as "Pichon Baron". Beyond their geographical proximity, they are distinguished by their strong personality. Pichon-Lalande has a soft, fleshy and tender character that can sometimes make it seem to be a more feminine wine. Straddling the Saint-Julien river, Pichon-Lalande vineyards are planted with 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Now owned by Champagne house Louis Roederer, Pichon-Lalande remains a noble and prestigious Second Growth.