Bordeaux 2023: Pichon Comtesse

The critics are clearly smitten too, with William Kelley describing it as “a brilliant wine that will be worth a special effort to track down” and Neal Martin calling it “outstanding”. Furthermore, the chateau has released at £660/6, a whopping 36% reduction on the 2022. This makes the 2023 the cheapest vintage of the last decade other than the 2014 and 2017. As such, this looks like a great buy!

We can also offer Pichon’s wonderful second label, Pichon Comtesse Reserve. As always, this is one of the most polished and complete second wines from Bordeaux. At £201/6, this offers Grand Vin style and panache at a very reasonable price.

Pichon Comtesse

“The 2023 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a brilliant wine that will be worth a special effort to track down. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries and cassis mingled with licorice, lilac, iris root, violet, burning embers and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, seamless and complete, with a deep, layered core of cool fruit that largely conceals it's ultra-refined structuring tannins. At a very measured 13% alcohol and 3.67 pH, it unites all Pichon Comtesse's sensuality with unimpeachable Pauillac classicism. The 2023 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.” – 97-99/100, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

“The 2023 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande was picked from September 6 until 29, with some rain on September 20 in the middle of Cabernet picking. But, Nicolas Glumineau remarked that the vineyard/fruit was in good condition; one day of rain did not affect the quality. The 2023 has a quintessential Comtesse bouquet, displaying pure and expressive black fruit laced with violet and graphite, delivered with impressive delineation. The palate is very refined on the entry. This is armed with beguiling symmetry—poised yet intense on the finish. It doesn’t exert huge grip because it knows it doesn't need to, and it fans out gloriously. Outstanding.” –** 96-98/100, Neal Martin, vinous.com**

Pichon Comtesse Reserve

“A terrific second wine, the 2023 Resèrve de la Comtesse wafts from the glass with a pure bouquet of blackcurrants, dark berries, lilac and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety, it's sensual and vibrant, with melting tannins and a deep core of cool fruit framed by polished but present tannins. This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc marks the 50th anniversary of this second wine's production.” – 91-93/100, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

“The 2023 Réserve de la Comtesse has a lovely bouquet, discrete initially, then opening with cassis and light violet fruit. It never shouts too loudly at this early stage. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins on the entry. There’s also a stronger graphite element than I have noticed in recent vintages, due to the higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%). This is a classically styled Réserve.” – 90-92/100, Neal Martin, vinous.com, April 2024