Chateau Pichon Comtesse Lalande 2017

Chateau Pichon Comtesse Lalande, 2eme Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France, 2017

Grapes: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

While no frost affected portions of the Pichon Lalande vineyard by the river, there were around 10% losses further inland. The final blends were made and put into barrel in early February.

Recent tasting from bottle:

"...a medium to deep garnet-purple color and is a little closed to begin, soon revealing floral notes of lilacs and lavender over a core of black raspberries, warm blackberries and forest floor plus touches of star anise and stewed black tea. Medium-bodied, the palate is a bundle of energy and tension with softly played tannins and beautiful floral and black fruit layers, finishing with a long-lingering whisper."  Drink 2021-2049

96/100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, March 2020

Tasting from barrel:

"This barrel sample is 100% new oak, whereas the final blend will be only 60% new oak. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is very deep garnet-purple in color with an incredibly fragrant nose of roses, lavender and baking spices over a core of crushed blackcurrants, wild blueberries and fresh plums plus touches of iron ore and underbrush. Medium-bodied and elegant with firm, grainy tannins, it's quite taut and muscular, with lots of perfumed and mineral layers and a long finish with lingering cinnamon and anise notes."

(94-96) points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, April 2018

"Tasted both at Hangar 14 and at the château. Dark crimson with soft pink rim. Lightly leafy dark fruit. Super-smooth texture and some fruit sweetness on the mid palate. Firm, dark and elegant on the finish. Sinewy and quite supple and long even without huge intensity, showing the charm of Comtesse and still clearly revealing its Pauillac origins. A smart, elegant wine reflecting the vintage. Tannins are tender – if more serious than on the Réserve de la Comtesse – and fruit just right. (JH)"

17/20 points, Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com, April 2018