Nicolas Glumineau has done it again! This is yet another magnificent Pichon Comtesse, a soaring, cashmere textured flying carpet that delights and thrills the senses. As one would expect, there is tremendous purity of fruit, dazzling aromatics and effortless tannins. It’s a glittering example, one that appears to possess the silken texture and transparency of the 2016, but with a bit more density. 2018 is a big vintage, yet this still possesses the hallmark femininity and finesse one expects from Pichon Comtesse. We were thrilled, the critics were too:
“The grand vin represents 50% of the crop this year. The 2018 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is made up of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot with a pH of 3.85, an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 87 and 14% alcohol. Very deep purple-black colored, it is like hitting a brick wall to begin, needing considerable coaxing to start to reveal notes of crushed black cherries, warm blackberries, ripe blackcurrants and chocolate cake with nuances of violets, rose hip tea, charcuterie, tapenade and incense with wafts of new leather and iron ore. Full-bodied, concentrated and completely laden with tightly wound black fruit and savory layers, the palate gives a rock-solid backbone of firm, super ripe, super fine-grained tannins and soft background freshness, finishing very long with a veritable display of mineral fireworks. 97-99/100”. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate
Read More“A deep and intense young red with blackberries and blueberries, as well as green olives and hints of fresh tobacco. But really black fruit. Full-bodied, tight and integrated with a refreshing and harmonious finish. Just floating on the palate. Great tannin backbone to this. A classic. Another flying carpet. 98-99/100”. - James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com
“The 2018 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is powerful, dense and explosive, with a real sense of vertical lift that conveys energy. Grilled herbs, lavender, inky blue/purplish fruit and spice notes develop in the glass, but it is the wine's balance, purity of tannin and finish that stand out most. In 2018, so many wines lean towards extreme versions of themselves, but Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande remains very much within its classic parameters. The 2018 doesn't quite offer the visceral thrill of the very best recent vintages, but it comes very close. At its purest essence, the 2018 is very Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. The en primeur sample is shown from 100% new oak, although the wine will have about 60% new wood. Tasted four times. 95-98/100”. - Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
We should also mention the exceptional second wine, Reserve de la Comtesse. This along with the captivating Dame de Montrose was our pick of the second wines. The quality of fruit and tannins puts many a classified growth to shame. This sublime RDLC will be an absolute joy to drink while one waits for the Grand Vin.
“Most of the plots that were planted since 2011 have gone into this. This second wine represents 41% of the crop. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the very deep purple-black colored 2018 Reserve de la Comtesse opens slowly to offers glimpses and dusty soil, Sichuan pepper, garrigue and tobacco over a core of warm black cherries, cassis and blackberry pie plus a waft of crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with juicy black fruits and loads of earth/mineral nuances, finishing with lovely freshness and a quiet intensity. Very impressive. 92-94/100”. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate