Pichon Comtesse Réserve, Pauillac, 2019
Produced from 47% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, the second wine of Pichon Comtesse tastes nothing like a second wine. This screams quality and luxury. More open and expressive than the grand vin, it unfurls with a glorious, brooding, bouquet, dark berries, black tea and violets. Very compact and precise, with a serious fruit core and a glorious Pichon texture, so fine and silky and detailed, yet powerful and concentrated, coating the mouth with velvety, luxurious fruit and aristocratic tannins laced with sumptuous berries and minerals. We felt this could be the most impressive Reserve to date. Outstanding!
critic reviews
A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Pichon Comtesse Reserve is deep garnet-purple in color. It features notes of redcurrant jelly and blackberry preserves with suggestions of bay leaves, pencil lead, and tapenade. The medium-bodied palate is coated with bright, savory-sparked black and red fruit, framed by grainy tannins, finishing with good length.
The 2019 Réserve de Pichon Comtesse has an open-knit, slightly meaty bouquet with dried blood infusing the brambly red fruit. A little rustic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, moderate depth, off-dry with a nicely proportioned, pencil shaving-tinged finish. Fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
The 2019 Reserve de la Comtesse is striking, soaring from the glass with scents of violets and rose petals mingled with cassis and dark berries. Medium to full-bodied, polished and succulent, its lively and seamless, with impressive concentration and a long, penetrating finish.
Plenty of tannins that are muscular and dense, clearly signposting a 2nd wine from a high quality estate. Has grip and tension through the palate, with cocoa shavings and fresh acidities. There are black fruits here, a little subdued at the moment, but this is impressive.