2020 Chateau Pichon-Comtesse de Lalande - 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac

Decanter.com - 98 pts - GH: *Smooth, seductive and finely textured, this is both sleek and strict, with a savoury, crushed stone saline tang alongside tobacco, tar, ripe black cherries and soft floral scents; the Cabernet really makes its mark. Sexy and rich, less immediately charming than the 2019 was at this point - it’s more restricted and coiled but more sophisticated, elegant and refreshing - a wine you want to sit and think about while the aromas and flavours open and evolve. Lovely definition, weight and texture overall. A clear stand out.* - 01/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 97 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Nuancen von Cassis, Brombeeren und Lakritze, zarte Edelholzwürze ist unterlegt, Noten von kandierten Orangenzesten. Saftig, elegant, reife Kirschen, harmonisch und frisch, feine, reife Tannine, schokoladiger Touch im Abgang, zeigt Länge und Reifepotenzial, große Zukunft.* - 02/2023

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 95-97pts - LPB: *Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande begins on a single, well-defined, wonderfully pure note of ripe blackcurrants, opening out to a melody of redcurrant jelly, kirsch, ripe blackberries and tar, with emerging suggestions of dark chocolate, cardamom, ground cloves and violets, with a waft of black truffles. Medium-bodied, tightly wound and with loads of fantastically nuanced black fruit layers, it has a rock-solid frame of finely grained tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. The blend this year is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc.* - 05/21

Vinum Magazin – 18/20 pts: *Bleibt etwas ausbaugeprägt in dieser Phase, doch der Ausbau hat für mehr Schliff gesorgt, erstklassiges Tannin, grosse Länge, erfreuliche Entwicklung.*

WeinWisser – 19,5+/20pts – GL, TW: *Was für ein Parfüm, frisch gepflückte Alpenheidelbeere, geröstete Himbeerkerne, Sandelholz, Milchschokolade und getrocknete Rosenblätter. Am komplexen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, tänzerischer Rasse, engmaschigem Tanningerüst, schwebender Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale brennt der Pauillac ein Feuerwerk ab, edle Cassiswürze, heller Tabak und erhabene Adstringenz. Wird die Bestnote in seinem idealen Trinkfenster erreichen! Trinkreife angepasst.* – 03/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 17/20pts – JH: *77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc. Very dark colour. There's the slight leafiness I often find on this wine but it is subtle in 2020. Black fruit and crushed stones. Dry tannins are nevertheless rounded in texture and clothed in the black fruit. Firm, dry. Stay away for a long time even though the tannins are fine-grained. Intense yet elegant.* - 11/2022

JamesSuckling.com - 97-98pts - JS: *his is extremely structured, but with a level of polish and refinement that highlights the excellence of the terroir. Very long and expansive on the palate, showing class and beauty. Powerful.* - 04/2021

Vinous.com – 97+ pts – AG: *The 2020 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is an opulent, massively tannic wine that is going to need many years to come together. Waves of dark fruit, leather, dried flowers and chocolate emerge with great reluctance, framed by huge, insistent tannins that never let up. The 2020 is a wine for readers who can be very, very patient. I am not sure when the 2020 is going to be ready to drink, but it is not likely to be anytime soon. Tasted two times.* - 12/2022

Vinous.com – 98 pts – NM: *The 2020 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has a very intense bouquet with layers of black fruit, hints of seaweed/brine, crushed stone, and perhaps less mint than it displayed from barrel. This possesses stunning delineation, like a perfect C major chord echoing around an empty cathedral. The palate is very well balanced, much more classic in style than its barrel showing, saline to its core, with hints of brine. A Pauillac where you can really sense the Gironde estuary flowing through its veins. Nicolas Glumineau has one of his finest creations on his hands, and when it grows up, it will be challenging First Growths.* - 12/2022

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 99 pts – JL: *A riveting wine in every sense of the word, the perfume grabs you with its array of flowers, spices, tobacco, currants, smoke, cedar and roasted plums. There is intensity, purity, precision and length, which is perfect for allowing you to experience all the layers of silky, sensuous fruits and freshness. The finish crosses the 50 second mark with ease and never looks back. With time in the bottle, this gem could hit triple digits, it is that good! Drink from 2027-2065.* - 03/2023