Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2018 – 2ème Grand Cru Classé

Bordeaux Total René Gabriel:

Kunz Fassprobe 19: (71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 35 hl/ha, 14% vol. Alkohol) Samtenes, konzentriertes, frisches, komplexes, fein florales Bouquet, Cassis, schwarze Beeren, fein Pflaumen, schwarze Oliven, Schiefer, Graphit, schwarze Pralinen, Minze, Black Currant. Dichtverwobener, cremiger, kraftvoller, vielschichtiger, aromatischer, fein opulenter, eleganter Gaumen mit dichter, dunkler Frucht, sehr viel feinem Tannin, konzentrierter, kräftiger, vielfältiger, süsser Aromatik, konzentrierter Struktur, sehr langer, aromatischer, frischer, kräftiger Abgang mit kräftigen Rückaromen. Trinkreife 2025-2050. Bewertung 20/20. –Bordeaux Total, André Kunz–

Robert Parker Wine Advocate:

The grand vin represents 50% of the crop this year. The 2018 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is made up of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot with a pH of 3.85, an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 87 and 14% alcohol. Very deep purple-black colored, it is like hitting a brick wall to begin, needing considerable coaxing to start to reveal notes of crushed black cherries, warm blackberries, ripe blackcurrants and chocolate cake with nuances of violets, rose hip tea, charcuterie, tapenade and incense with wafts of new leather and iron ore. Full-bodied, concentrated and completely laden with tightly wound black fruit and savory layers, the palate gives a rock-solid backbone of firm, super ripe, super fine-grained tannins and soft background freshness, finishing very long with a veritable display of mineral fireworks. Drink Date 2026-2056. Rating 97-99/100. –Lisa Perrotti-Brown–

Vinous:

The 2018 Pichon-Lalande was given an hour’s decant and then observed over the next 24 hours. It has clearly retained the showstopping nose that I encountered from barrel, those same “gentle waves" of black cherries and blueberry, incense and violets lending it a Margaux-like allure. The palate is vibrant and full of tension from the start, the acidity slicing through the layers of quite plush black fruit, judiciously laced with tobacco and mint. There is a beguiling sense of harmony conveyed by this Pichon-Lalande and although there is clearly plenty of structure, the tannins are so pixelated and pliant that it might well be broachable in 4–5 years’ time. Personally, however, I would prefer to cellar it for 8–10 years (by which time I hope that the new Cure album is finally released). However long you decide to keep it tucked away, this is a quite brilliant Pauillac. Drink Date 2025-2055. Rating 97/100. –Neal Martin–

James Suckling:

A deep and intense young red with blackberries and blueberries, as well as green olives and hints of fresh tobacco. But really black fruit. Full-bodied, tight and integrated with a refreshing and harmonious finish. Just floating on the palate. Great tannin backbone to this. A classic. Another flying carpet. Rating 98-99/100. –JamesSuckling.com–

Adrian van Velsen – vvWine.ch & VINUM:

Die Nase ist ein Gedicht, wie schon En Primeur ist hier Hühnerhaut angesagt, Frucht und Würze, Floralität, etwas Paprika, man möchte darin baden. Im Gaumen konzentriert, mit ungemein knackiger Frucht, feinsten Tanninen, alles ist da, nichts dominiert, der Wein tänzelt über die Zunge, verleiht sich selber Flügel, hochelegant und von ausgezeichneter Länge. mit dunkler Frucht und feiner Würze. Grandios ist das. Trinkreife 2025-2050. Bewertung 98/100. –Adrian van Velsen – vvWine.ch & VINUM–