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.

The nose of this wine is particularly complex and emblematic of the Pauillac terroir, with mineral notes of cedar and liquorice that gradually give way to richer aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant and violet. The palate is juicy and flavoursome. The wine starts out ethereal with delicious notes of strawberry and cherry, going onto reveal all its charm and softness before culminating in a long finish with smooth, precise and powdery tannins. This Réserve wine is quite simply mesmerising.

The winter was fairly dry and mild, particularly in the later months, with February and March recording above-average temperatures. Bud break was rather early, at the beginning of April. Meanwhile, winegrowers had to contend with a spell of severe frost during several consecutive nights. Thankfully, the nearby Gironde estuary helped to protect our vineyard. A fairly dry, warm spring ensued, propitious to flowering in late May under excellent conditions. June was very unsettled and wet. Severe hailstorms struck many vineyards in the Médoc, although the vines at Pichon Comtesse were miraculously spared! A long heatwave and drought conditions set in from early July onwards. Veraison (colour change) began as soon as 30 July and lasted until 9 August. In mid-August, two storms brought 25 mm of rainfall, which, while not significant, was nevertheless conducive to ripening. The harvest began on 8 September under dry conditions with the picking of perfectly ripe grapes. The only heavy rainfall arrived as of 26 September – the penultimate day of the harvest! During the particularly hot and dry summer, storms in June and mid-August were a salvation, providing welcome relief for the vineyards.