Château Pichon Comtesse Réserve de la Comtesse

Pauillac, France

Vintage:2018 (Past)

2015 (Past) | 2016 (Past) | 2017 (Past) | 2019 (Current) | 2020 (Current)

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Château Pichon Comtesse Réserve de la Comtesse 2018
  • JS 93-94
  • WA 92-94+
  • V 91
  • WS 90

Reviews

Wine Spectator 90 Points March 31, 2021, James Molesworth

“Bright and juicy, with a mix of red and black currant preserve flavors lined with notes of briar and licorice root, ending with a hint of tobacco. Not large in scale, but has good latent energy. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2028.”

Vinous Media 91 Points March 2021, Neal Martin

“The 2018 Réserve de Pichon Comtesse has undergone a discreet change of name since the 2017 vintage. What has not changed is that it’s a knockout Second Label. It ladles out gorgeous scents of blackberry mixed with iodine and violets, just as it did from barrel. The palate is quite rich and generous, with saturated, pliant tannins, a very fine line of acidity and hints of graphite furnishing the finish. Give it, say, three years in bottle and you will have a delicious wine on your hands.”

The Wine Advocate 92-94+ Points April 23, 2019, Lisa Perrotti-Brown

“Most of the plots that were planted since 2011 have gone into this. This second wine represents 41% of the crop. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the very deep purple-black colored 2018 Reserve de la Comtesse opens slowly to offers glimpses and dusty soil, Sichuan pepper, garrigue and tobacco over a core of warm black cherries, cassis and blackberry pie plus a waft of crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with juicy black fruits and loads of earth/mineral nuances, finishing with lovely freshness and a quiet intensity. Very impressive.”

JamesSuckling.com 93-94 Points April 2, 2019, James Suckling

“A rich and dense second wine of Pichon Lalande with a full body, round and juicy tannins and a fruit-driven finish. Chewy, too.”

Overview

The second growth of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, the Réserve de la Comtesse, was created and sold for the first time in 1973. Second growths represent between 20 percent and 50 percent of the total production of the Château. From the same soil, the second growth benefits from the technology and reputation of the great wine. The archives kept at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande mention the existence of a second wine as early as the 19th century.

The vast majority of the vineyards are Gunzian gravel mounds of the classic Pauillac composition, with the deep bed of gravel placed over a substrata of clay and limestone. The commitment to sustainable farming practices extends throughout the 220 acres of vineyards, with over 27 acres fully converted to organic viticulture, and 37 acres farmed biodynamically.

Tasting Notes

An enticing nose of blackberry and cedar, with spicy notes of pepper and fresh mint. Delicious on the palate, exhaling raspberry aromas. Equally supple and dense, with pure, fresh fruits. Savoury and with a evolving elegance and long length, thanks to well-integrated tannins.

Harvest Notes

There are vintages that traverse time and remain a true point of reference for our estates. At Pichon Comtesse, 2018 will undoubtedly and in every sense be one of those! A vintage in all extremes, uniting several vintages in one, 2018 is a delight, an enrichment of experience and cultivation of our passion for winemaking, a vector of emotions. 

After a cold and wet winter, the bud break was late, around mid-April. A relatively mild April to June allowed for flowering at the end of May, marked by several storms in this period creating an unparalleled pressure of mildew. Pichon Comtesse vineyard, thankfully had little coulure and was spared hail damage. Hot and dry weather from mid-July resulted in a uniform veraison; beginning on July 28th for the Merlot, it finishes on August 14th for the Cabernet and Petit Verdot. From September 13th to October 11th, the harvest was carried out in excellent conditions and each parcel was picked at optimum ripeness.

Technical Information

Varietals: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. 1% Cabernet Franc

Wine Alcohol: 14%

pH: 3.85

Soil Composition: Gravel, clay and sand

Average Vine Age: 35 years

New Oak: 40%

Aging: 12 months