2017 Chateau Pichon-Comtesse de Lalande - 2ème Cru Classé Pauillac

Falstaff Magazin - 92pts - PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, ein Hauch wie von amerikanischem Holz, zart nach Dill, schwarze Beerenfrucht, feines Rioja-Bukett. Straff, gute Komplexität, dunkle Beerenfrucht, extraktsüßer Kern, integrierte Tannine, gute Länge, salzige Nuancen im Finale, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial, etwas monolithisch.* -05/2018

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 94-96pts - LPB: *This barrel sample is 100% new oak, whereas the final blend will be only 60% new oak. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is very deep garnet-purple color with an incredibly fragrant nose of roses, lavender and baking spices over a core of crushed blackcurrants, wild blueberries and fresh plums plus touches of iron ore and underbrush. Medium-bodied and elegant with firm, grainy tannins, it’s quite taut and muscular, with lots of perfumed and mineral layers and a long finish with lingering cinnamon and anise notes.* -04/2018

Vinum Magazin - 18/20pts - RB: *Se développe d´abord en douceur et avec délicatesse, puis évolue avec grande profondeur. Dense, avec des tannins souples et soyeux, une très longue finale avec beaucoup de fruits, excellent. 2025-2040*

Weinwisser - 19,5/20pts - GL: *Rubis-grenat dense, bon gras en milieu de bouche, des reflets violets. Répand un parfum érotique de griottes mûres, myrtilles et chocolat au nougat. Evolue avec réglisse sucrée, cassis savoureux et pain de seigle chaud. Un palais royal avec une texture soyeuse. Une symbiose parfaite de densité et élégance. Une longue finale avec une révélation de mûres et de bois noble. L’incroyable précision fait cette année la différence et le place au top des Pauillac. Avec Cheval Blanc, le vin rouge du millésime ! 2028-2053* -05/2018

Wine Spectator - 92-95pts - JM: *The 2017 Pichon Lalande grand vin is a beauty in the making, with layersof dark fig, currant and blackberry fruit that arelush in feel, backed by a serious graphite spine that adds an authoritative feel through the finish. Lovely black tea, sweet tobacco and tar nuances fill in throughout. There’s serious range and drive here.* -03/2018

JancisRobinson.com - 17/20pts - JH: *Tasted both at Hangar 14 and at the château. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Dark crimson with soft pink rim. Lightly leafy dark fruit. Super-smooth texture and some fruit sweetness on the mid palate. Firm, dark and elegant on the finish. Sinewy and quite supple and long even without huge intensity, showing the charm of Comtesse and still clearly revealing its Pauillac origins. A smart, elegant wine reflecting the vintage. Tannins are tender - if more serious than on the Réserve de la Comtesse - and fruit just right. 2027-2042 * -04/2018

JamesSuckling.com - 95-96pts - JS: *This is a really fascinating young Pichon Lalande with a dense center palate of currants, crushed stones, salt and seashells. Really long and intense. Wonderful energy. Showing character of some of the top years of the 1980s. *-04/2018

Vinous.com - 92-95pts - AG: *The 2017 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is gorgeous, but it is also going to need time to come together. The sensuality and allure typical of so many Pauillacs is not at all evident here. A rush of dark cherry, plum, smoke, charcoal and exotic spice make a strong opening statement in a powerful Pichon Comtesse that is not ready to show all of its cards. The 2017 was incredibly reticent in several tastings, which is probably a very good thing for its long-term potential. Today, though, the 2017 is dense, powerful and closed in on itself, without the layers that define the 2014, 2015 and 2016.

WineEnthusiast - 95-97pts - RV: *Certainly a fine wine, this has ripe tannins that are balanced by the fine, black fruits. With its smoky and black currant character, it has the structure for aging, as well as the attractive fruitiness of the vintage. Drink from 2024.* -04/2018

Vinous.com - 94 pts - NM: *The 2017 Pichon-Lalande has closed down a little on the nose since it was bottled late June. But it is still very well defined, quite Cabernet-influenced with cedar and graphite aromas emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. It is a very lithe Pichon-Lalande that in some ways harks back to the fleshier vintages of the past. There is something "sedate" and self-effacing about this 2017, and that is meant in a good way. Harmonious, refined, almost effortless and probably medium rather than long-term drinking.* - 02/2020