Réserve de la Comtesse, Pauillac, 2015
We don't know how Nicolas Glumineau does it, but there's some sort of alchemy afoot at Pichon Lalande. The Reserve de la Comtesse 2015 is every bit as lovely as the sensational 2014 and perhaps has a little more voluptuousness and weight to the fruit. The bouquet offers clear Pauillac aromas of violets, roses, stones, pencil shavings and sweet cassis. This is so silky and refined for a second wine. There palate is ample with taut mulberry and crème de mûre flavours. There is a real sense of finesse and fluidity to the wonderfully textured, pure vibrant fruit. Top class! 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.
critic reviews
Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2015 Reserve de la Comtesse springs from the glass with flamboyant notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and cassis, leading to hints of cinnamon toast and fragrant soil. The medium-bodied palate is wonderfully elegant, bright, and refreshing, with soft tannins and a quiet intensity to the finish on this impressive wine.
The 2015 Réserve de la Comtesse has a fresh, delineated bouquet of cedar-infused red fruit; undergrowth and humidor notes surface with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, and fresh and balanced though not overly complex. It just needs to manifest more nuance and personality on the finish to merit a higher score. This tasted better 12 months ago. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.