Pichon Comtesse Réserve, Pauillac, 2018
There weren’t many outstanding second wines in 2024, but Pichon Comtesse Reserve is one of the few genuine successes. Composed from 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, this is typically aromatic with clear suggestions of violets, cassis, sour plum, forest floor and even a hint of truffle. This segues to a palate brimming with vibrant sweet berries, griotte, fine minerals, tilled earth and tobacco leaf. Poised and athletic, the tannins are really well-judged finishing with notes of blood orange. Delicious.
critic reviews
The 2018 Reserve de Pichon Comtesse is deep garnet-purple in color. It has a nose of dried herbs, baked blackberries, and dried mulberries, plus suggestions of blackcurrant pastilles and black olives. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers herb-tinged black fruits, with a chewy texture and a firm finish.
This second wine represents 41% of the crop. Composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Reserve de la Comtesse springs from the glass with vibrant scents of ripe blackcurrants, black raspberries and baked plums, plus suggestions of pencil lead, cedar chest, ground cloves and lilacs. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly crafted with fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness nicely framing the delicate fruit, finishing earthy.
The 2018 Réserve de Pichon Comtesse has undergone a discreet change of name since the 2017 vintage. What has not changed is that it’s a knockout Second Label. It ladles out gorgeous scents of blackberry mixed with iodine and violets, just as it did from barrel. The palate is quite rich and generous, with saturated, pliant tannins, a very fine line of acidity and hints of graphite furnishing the finish. Give it, say, three years in bottle and you will have a delicious wine on your hands.