Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, 2ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2016
Those who have already read the Reserve de la Comtesse note will have high hope for the Comtesse, and don't worry, you won't be disappointed. This is a Pichon of first growth quality. We unanimously preferred it to their highfalutin neighbour. Aromatically, this is the purest expression of Pauillac, pure claret. It is sensual, yet serious, pure, complex and ethereal. It is like being presented with a freshly picked bunch of roses in a bucket of freshly pressed blackcurrant topped with graphite shavings. It is so alive and vibrant. The flavours on the palate are equally well delineated, beautifully taut, with just the right measure of gloss, pure cassis, delivered with such grace, poise and persistence. The quality and texture of fruit is really impressive. Tannins of the utmost finesse give this more than a touch of seduction and tension. They say that owners look like their dogs; Nicolas always greats us warmly with a beaming smile, and we always seem to leave cheered and smiling from ear to ear having tasted his wines - perhaps wines resemble their makers... Pure class.
critic reviews
The 2016 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has a slight animal fur scent on the nose, though there is plenty of pleasant black fruit behind it. Given time in the glass, it becomes more and more refined, more floral and almost Margaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fine grip, quite saline, with a judicious touch of freshly rolled tobacco towards the finish. There is a very satisfying crescendo here. A great Pauillac, albeit one that seems to have “firmed up” in recent months, as proven by another bottle opened at the property during en primeur. Give it a two- to three-hour decant if serving now. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
One of the greatest wines that this estate has produced in the modern era, the 2016 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a brilliant classic that no Bordeaux lover is going to want to do without. Mingling aromas of cassis and plums with notions of licorice, sweet tobacco leaf, rich soil tones, licorice, cigar smoke and violets, it's full-bodied, seamless and complete, with huge concentration, bright acids and a long, penetrating finish. Standing out for its unerring precision, impeccable balance and ineffable sense of completeness, it should prove almost immortal.
Hard to fault the confident, tightrope-walking balance of muscular tannins, concentrated berry fruit and vibrant acidities. Sings of Pauillac, but a sophisticated, well-finessed version. Still young, but the wall of tannins is bouncy, rippling with silk and satin, along with liqourice, cocoa bean and camp fire smoke. Assume it will close down over the next few years, so make the most of it now with a long carafe, or wait for 5 to 10 years. 40hl/h yield, 60% new oak, and a long, slow harvest from September 20 to October 20.