2018 Pichon Comtesse Reserve - Zweitwein von Pichon Longueville Comtesse - Pauillac AC

*As with the first wine of Comtesse, this is one to look out for in 2018. It’s seductive but with a minerality and pull through the palate joined by plush raspberry and damson fruits – so much depth but also so pretty. As the tannins close in the finish is a little tighter than the mid-palate and when you return to it after tasting the first wine the fruit flavours have been joined by liquorice and touches of woodsmoke, it’s delicious. The split is 50/50 between first and second wine in 2018, with over 90% of the total production used. 1% Cabernet Franc makes up the blend. 9% press wine. 3.85pH, 87IPT.*

*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.* (92-94+/100)

WeinWisser – 18/20pts - WL: *53 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 42 % Merlot, 4 % Petit Verdot, 1 % Cabernet Franc. Dichtes Granat mit violettem Rand. Verführerisches Veilchenparfüm, dahinter Heidelbeeren, Kokos und rote Grütze. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit seidenen Tanninen und stützendem Tanningerüst, guter Zug und geniale Frische. Im aromatischen Finale mit viel schwarzbeeriger Frucht, dunklen Edelhölzern, tabakiger Würze und etwas Graphit. Hier gibt es nichts zu meckern, wie wird da wohl der Grand Vin schmecken?* – 04/2019

*Cassis, blackberry, pepper and tobacco notes are in the mix, with good energy on the graphite-edged finish. Shows textbook typicity, and should be ready in the near term after bottling.—J.M.* (90-93/100)

*A rich and dense second wine of Pichon Lalande with a full body, round and juicy tannins and a fruit-driven finish. Chewy, too.* (93-94/100)

Vinous.com – 91 pts – AG: *My feeling about the 2018 Réserve de la Comtesse is pretty much the same as it was when I first tasted it en primeur. It is an attractive, gracious wine with plenty of immediacy and appeal, but not the depth of some previous editions. I imagine that mostly reflects the significant presence of young vine fruit here and the uneven quality of the growing season and vintage. I would prefer to drink the 2018 over the next decade or so.* - 03/2021

Vinous.com – (90-92) pts – NM: *The 2018 Réserve de la Comtesse is matured in 40% new oak, 30% one year old and 30% two years old. It has a relatively opulent bouquet, although not overdone, armed with copious blackberries, iodine and violet scents that gain intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannin and pure black fruit laced with graphite and white pepper, leading to quite a dense but focused finish. This is a powerful Réserve de la Comtesse that will require three to five years in bottle.* - 11/2019