Based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot and aged in 50% new French oak, the 2023 Pichon Comtesse Réserve is a beautiful second wine offering darker currants, fresh black cherries, smoky tobacco, and spicy wood aromatics. It's medium-bodied and has a pure, layered, balanced mouthfeel, ripe, present tannins, and outstanding length. Drink this over the coming 15+ years. Drink 2026-2041.

The 2023 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is pure class. Vertical, deep and explosive, the 2023 is one of the stars of the vintage. Readers will find a vertical, soaring Pichon Comtesse. The 2023 is one of the most refined wines I can remember tasting here in many years. Lavender, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and mocha are some of the notes that build with some time in the glass. The 2023 is not an especially showy Pichon Comtesse, but rather a wine that needs time to blossom.

The 2023 Réserve de la Comtesse is superb. In some recent vintages, I have felt the Réserve was a bit too serious for a second wine. That is not at all the case with the 2023, a wine of sublime elegance and finesse. Floral top notes meld into a core of dark red/purplish fruit, pomegranate, blood orange and cinnamon. This is the Réserve with the highest amount of Cabernet Sauvignon ever.

A racy and focused red with black currant, blackberry and black cherry aromas and flavors. Hints of licorice Medium to full-bodied with tight and solid tannins that are polished and beautiful. Black currant, chocolate and walnut flavors, with a hint of spices at the end. Decanted, it shows such class and beauty. Stunning is the word. So refined and graceful with silky tannin backbone. From organic and biodynamically grown grapes. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. Best after 2029.

Extremely perfumed aromas of blueberries, currants and sandalwood follow through to a medium body with fine tannins that give length and energy. Very attractive to drink now, but tension at the end necessitating two or three years of bottle age. Drink or hold.