Pichon Comtesse - Pauillac 2021

matthewjukes.com

18,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe8/2/2022

Lalande has made another love story to Cabernet Sauvignon in 2021, and it is thrillingly pure and direct on the nose and palate, and the slender chassis are also riveting. The oak is fairly firm, adding delicious detail to the overall experience. There is a keen edge to this wine that is both refreshing and also uplifting, and it will propel it forwards for thirty or more years with ease. I am falling for Lalande’s newfound confidence and flair, and in 2021 it deserves to have a strong following. 18.5

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/8/2022

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.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/2/2022

One of the gems in the vintage is the 2021 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, a Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy blend that includes 10% Cabernet Franc and just 2% Merlot, aging in 60% new barrel. Yields here were devastated due to mildew and poor flowering, and the final wine comes from a horrific 15 hectoliters per hectare. The final alcohol hit 13%, and it has a healthy pH of 3.69 and an IPT of 75. In addition, a fair bit of press wine was used this year. Regardless of the numbers and technical data, the wine is brilliant and offers a pure, seamless, medium to full-bodied style carrying notes of dark currants, liquid violets, graphite, and chalky minerality. Possessing ultra-fine tannins, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a great finish, it's going to benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age and be a long-lived Pauillac. It's another incredible success from this team. 94-96+

Bettane & Desseauve

97 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/24/2022

Admirable coup de nez sur la violette, ce qui le rapproche du grand vin, avec beaucoup de nuances aromatiques de petits fruits. Velouté de texture, incomparable harmonie en fin de bouche. Très forte proportion de cabernet-sauvignon et tout petit volume de production. De manière incontestable, le ce comtesse faut jeu égal avec les premiers crus.

The Vintage Journal

94-95 / 100

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2022

Deep crimson. Intense dark cherry, blackcurrant brambly aromas with espresso, graphite leafy notes. Richly flavoured and sturdy with ample blackcurrant blackberry fruits dense chocolaty/ chewy textures and integrated cedar oak notes. Finishes chocolaty firm with mineral graphite notes. This should age pretty well. 88% cabernet sauvignon, 2% merlot, 10% cabernet franc. 12 months in 40% new French oak. 13% alc

Alexandre Ma

94-96 / 100

byAlexandre Mathe5/16/2022

Pichon Comtesse has converted to “organic farming” since 2021. But in this rainy vintage, the winery had to face great difficulties. Although the final yield was only 15hl/ha and her first wine only accounts for 60% of the total production, Pichon Comtesse 2021 still maintains its supreme quality. In my opinion, two main reasons have contributed to this success. First is the unconventional blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. The second one is gentler extraction of tannins. The aromas of this wine are dominated by cedar, star anise, licorice, orchid, and delicate black fruits. Thanks to the softer extraction, the whole palate is wrapped by the silky and rounded body, with a smooth and natural transition between different flavors. I very much look forward to its performance after bottling. ???2021??????“????”,?????2021??,????????????,???????????15??/??(15 hl/ha),?????????????60%??2021???????????????????????????,???“????”???(88%????2%???10%???);?????????????????2021??????????????????????????????,??????????????,??????????????????,??????????????????????????

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/16/2022

With a nice depth of color for the vintage, you find flowers, blackberries, black cherries, tobacco wrapper, cigar box and spice in the nose. There is a sweetness to the fruit, combined with salinity, soft tannins and freshness on the palate, finishing with a strong touch of salt that accompanies the peppery, chewy red fruits in the endnote. This is a modern-classically styled vintage for Pichon Lalande. The wine blends 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot. 12.9% ABV. pH 3.75. This is the second highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the history of the estate. The harvest took place from September 22 ending October 5. Yields were incredibly low at only 15 hectoliters per hectare, almost 70% below a normal harvest. Drink from 2025-2055. 94-96

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

95 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/13/2022

Concentrated, with mint leaf, black chocolate, cassis and blueberry, spice, and clear tannic hold. This is the highest level of Cabernet Sauvignon in Comtesse since 2013 when it was 100% Cabernet (and 13hl/h yield) and you feel it in the character of the fruit, and the tension through the core. A more serious Comtesse than we have got used to in recent years, without sacrificing the signature finesse and elegance. IPT 76. Tasted twice. Harvest September 22 through to October 6. First year of organic conversion, 60% of production in 1st wine, 15hl/h yield, 3.76ph. 65% new oak for ageing.

Vinous

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2022

The 2021 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande needs more coaxing from the glass than previous vintages. Blackberry, juniper and iris flower scents reluctantly unfold, though tasting a second glass, I found the nose more forthcoming. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. The Cabernet is in the driving seat, imparting black fruit, a touch of graphite and chimney soot. Edgy, with a structured and quite serious if slightly short finish. A cerebral proposition for serious Pauillac lovers.

Vinous

96-98 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2022

Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Let's start with the good. The 2021 Pichon Comtesse is epic and certainly among the great wines of this vintage. Sadly, the coulure and mildew in the first year of organic farming plus dehydration at the end of the growing season took with it fully two thirds of the crop. In other words, there's not much wine to go around. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, yet clocking in at 12.9% alcohol, the 2021 is beautifully layered and totally sensual from the very first taste. Hints of red fruit, flowers, mint, white pepper and dried savory herbs develop with a bit of coaxing. The Cabernet Sauvignon, at 88%, is very high by historical standards. Quite simply, the 2021 is a tour de force from Technical Director Nicolas Glumineau and his team. If there is one wine readers will absolutely jump on en primeur it is Pichon Comtesse. Should the bottled wine turn out as well as this sample, pricing is likely to jump materially because of the tiny production. Don't miss it.

vvwine

96-98 / 100

byAdrian Van Velsenthe5/10/2022

Sensationeller Duft, klar und rein wie ein Bergbach, dunkle Beeren, Cassis, Brombeere, darüber florale Noten und deutlich grüne Paprika, das ist eine dieser Nase, die man eigentlich in ein Parfüm verwandeln möchte, ein Hit. Im Gaumen cremig und weich im Auftakt, packt dann zu, die Frucht ist knackig, Säure und feinmaschiges Tannin verleihen viel Struktur, lebhaft, hochelegant und wiederum mit diesem grünen Paprika-Aroma im Retrofinale erinnert mich der Wein an die grossen Jahrgänge der 80er, einfach noch viel besser. Ausgezeichnet. 2028-2050+ (Verkostet im April 2022. UGCB)

Anthocyanes

95-97 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/6/2022

Assemblages réalisés. 15 hl/ha après tri. 12.9% vol. pH : 3,75. Élégant, fruité, iris, réglisse, légèrement racinaire, boisé fondu et touche mentholée pour un bouquet parfaitement mur et délicat. La bouche est longue, juteuse, persistante avec une trame acide très agréable et de très beaux tanins, notamment en finale. Presque aérien, une droiture délicate et la sensation de croquer un beau raisin avec de beaux tanins finaux. Bravo !

Wine Advocate

94-95 / 100

byWilliam Kelleythe4/29/2022

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. (94 - 95)+