60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc en 2% Petit Verdot. Voor Réserve de la Comtesse is 2017 de best mogelijke opvolger van de heerlijke 2014 en 2016. Eén en al charme en distinctie.
IN DE PERS
92 Neal Martin – vinous.com (Februari 2020)
The 2017 Réserve de la Comtesse came from a barrel that had begun its élevage in a new barrel and then transferred into a used one. It has a well defined bouquet with blackberry, oyster shell and subtle marine scents, a nose that is full of character. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity and impressive density for a Deuxième Vin. A seductive, graphite tinged finish. This is an excellent follow-up to the 2016 and may even surpass it. Drink 2021-2035.
90-92 Neal Martin – vinous.com (Mei 2018)
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. Drink 2019-2030.
92 Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (Maart 2020)
The 2017 Réserve de la Comtesse is deep, dark and intense. Charcoal, grilled herbs, smoke, game and licorice add to a real impression of serious power. The 2017 is far more convincing in bottle than it was en primeur. An increase in Cabernet on the property has had a number effects, including moving the Réserve closer to the Grand Vin stylistically. The Cabernet is especially evident today in what is a an important, big second wine. Tasted four times. Drink 2024-2037.
88-91 Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (Mei 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.
92 Jane Anson – decanter.com (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. Drinking Window 2022 - 2034
88-90 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW – robertparker.com (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.
92-93 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Maart 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.
16/20 Julia Harding MW – jancisrobinson.com (April 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. Drink 2023-2032.
Pichon ComtessePichon Lalande is de Amazone onder de wijnen en blijft zeer populair. Ook in Azië spreken hun licht exotische, kruidige karakter, het volmondig fruit en de gepolijste textuur aan. Het zijn elegante wijnen met ambitie. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc en 5% Petit Verdot.
De percelen van deze mooie wijngaard van 89 hectare dragen mooie namen als Les Ardileys, le Moulin Riche, Longueville, Grand'Plante, la Chapelle, Virginie, Sophie, Marie-Joséphine... De ene ligt nabij de Gironde langs Latour, de andere strekken zich uit over het plateau ten Zuiden van Pauillac en we vinden zelfs 11 hectare aan de overkant van het beekje de "jalle" in Saint Julien. Zoals bij Palmer in Margaux brengt een relatief hoge proportie Merlot in het assemblage vrij zachte, soepele wijnen.
Pichon Lalande was de bruidschat van Pierre Mazure de Rauzan toen zijn dochter Thérèse huwde met Jacques de Pichon Longueville in 1700. In 1850 werd 3/5 geërfd door de drie zusters van de Baron Pichon en in 1926 samengebracht in Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. Vanaf 1978, onder het bewind van "la Générale", de dynamische Madame de Lencquesaign, werd de rivaliteit met overbuur Pichon Baron aangewakkerd. Vandaag beheert Nicolas Glumineau deze Grand Cru Classé namens de eigenaar sinds 2007, het Champagnehuis Louis Roederer. De investeringen zijn groots opgevat; de nieuwe installaties laten voortaan perfecte "vinification parcellaire" toe en werken geheel op zwaartekracht... Maar het uitzicht over Château Latour en de Gironde blijft enig! In de komende wijnjaren verwachten wij zonder meer grandioze wijnen van Pichon Lalande, de legendarische 1982 achterna... | |