Chateau Pichon Lalande Reserve De La Comtesse Pauillac 2019

Grape varietals & region:A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Too often, the wines of this historic Pauillac estate are compared to its Pichon sibling Chteau Pichon Longueville Baron or its First Growth neighbour Lafite. While Pichon Lalande can more than hold its own amid this esteemed company, comparisons can distract from its distinct, expressive character.The “Comtesse” is now owned by Champagne house Louis Roederer and managed by the brilliant wine-maker Nicolas Glumineau, the man who made the awesome Montrose 2009 and 2010 before coming here.

Taste profile:Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de lalande Reserve Pauillac is a heady concoction of inky dark fruit, graphite, new leather, licorice, lavender, spice and grilled herbs soars out of the glass. The2015 is rich and expansive yet retains a super-classic vertical feel. Plush, silky tannins add to its immeasurable pedigree. Cellar the 2018 for a decade or so, if patience permits. It’s a stellar wine in the making.

Winemaking process:Grapes are harvested and sorted by hand, and then macerated for 20-30 days and fermented at 28-32C in temperature controlled stainless steel vats of varying size. The wine is then transferred into oak barrels for aging after finishing its malolactic fermentation.