Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2021

JEFF LEVE, THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER

ADRIAN VAN VELSEN - VVWINE.CH

VERTDEVIN

The nose is elegant, nicely intense and reveals a very fine grain, controlled, just right power, depth, a nice airy side to the approach and a very nice powdery character. There are notes of violet blackberry, bright strawberry and, more slightly, bright blue berries combined with touches of liquorice, cornflower and discreet hints of Cuben pepper, a subtle touch of tobacco, blue tea, Bourbon vanilla and a discreet hint of camphor. The palate is elegant, fresh and offers juiciness, a nice acidity/minerality, good definition, gourmandize, a nice roundness, tension, a nice crunchiness and a controlled explosion in the mouth. On the palate this wine expresses bright cherry, blueberry and more slightly fleshy/juicy blackcurrant notes combined with touches of blueberry, violet as well as zan/badian (almost mentholated which brings pep), discrete hints of pepper, lily, graphite, a subtle hint of fresh saffron and fine hints of toastiness/caramelisation. On the finish there are fine roasted/grilled hints in the background.

Decanter Magazine

Cocoa powder, iris notes, pink roses and black fruits - so fragrant - you just want to smell the wines in 2021 for hours. This is a seriously impressive Comtesse and stands out as one of my favourite wines of the vintage with real promise. Power and depth from the get go, tannins are massy, softly fleshy but also provide support and structure, giving layers to the fruit and savoury elements that combine clove, cedar, cola, vanilla and cinnamon with teeth-coating liquorice and graphite too - the soft salinity entering towards the finish. It's concentrated and serious with a tightly knitted core, a consequence of the tiny yields and strict selection as well as the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend since 2013. I love the terroir signature on show in the glass as well as an overall sense of retaining elegance and finesse. A top buy for me! 3.76pH, 75IPT. 18-19 months ageing. Tasted twice.

James Suckling

This is really spicy with peppercorns, cloves and Chinese spices, especially on the finish. Blackcurrants, too. Medium-bodied, firm and polished with a long, intense finish. 88% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc and 2% merlot.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

This estate is one of the most dynamic in contemporary Bordeaux, so it's no surprise that the 2021 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a terrific wine—though its a very atypical blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot, cropped at a derisory 15 hectoliters per hectare, hints at what a challenging year this was in the vineyards. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries, blackcurrants, iris, licorice, black truffles, cigar wrapper and sweet soil tones, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and a supple but serious profile. It will see 60% new oak and, in all likelihood, a classical élevage of fully 18 months.