Château PICHON COMTESSE DE LALANDE 2021

Description

Yves Beck 96-97 points www.yvesbeck.wine
2021 a été compliqué… de surcroit en première année de conversion vers l’agriculture biologique. La qualité est bien entendu au rendez-vous, mais le rendement est bien maigre avec 15hl/ha… Le bouquet est précis, bien typé, avec des nuances de baies noires, d’eucalyptus, d’iris et de graphite. Le vin est ample et doté de tannins précis, puissants. L’expression aromatique est bien soulignée en fin de bouche et idéalement appuyée par la structure. La finale s’en retrouve intensifiée et étirée. Un Pichon Comtesse qui mettra un peu de baume au cœur des équipes de Pichon qui ont su relever le défi !  2027-2051

Antonio Galloni 96-98 www.vinous.com
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.

Georgina Hindle 96 points  www.decanter.com (at Bordeaux, 01 Apr 2022)
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. Drinking Window : 2027 – 2045

William Kelley 94-95+ points www.erobertparker.com
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.

Jean-Marc Quarin 94 points www.quarin.com
Belle couleur sombre et soutenue. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité et pur. Tendre à l’attaque, juteux en milieu de bouche, le vin caresse le palais, agréable, très bien construit et savoureux. Il s’achève sur une bonne longueur, sans jamais marquer le tannin. Assemblage : 88 % cabernet sauvignon, 10 % cabernet franc, 2 % merlot. Degré d’alcool : 12°9 – pH : 3,75 – IPT : 76. Rendement : 15 hl/ha, soit 70 % de moins que la normale. Le cru a été affecté par la coulure et le mildiou. Pour sa première année de conversion bio, ça a été une grosse épreuve. Dates de vendanges : du 22 septembre au 8 octobre.

Neal Martin 93-95 www.vinous.com
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.