Reserve de Pichon Comtesse 2021

A precise and complex Pauillac Second Wine

The estate

A Second Grand Cru Classe of Pauillac, the beautiful Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande shines bright on the left bank of Bordeaux. In 2007, Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande started a new chapter in its history when it became part of the Rouzaud family, owners of the prestigious Louis Roederer Champagne House.

The vineyard

A benchmark among Pauillac wines, Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande reigns over a 102-hectare vineyard, of which 75 hectares are used for production. The soils are composed of gravelly hilltops on sandy-clay subsoils, which benefit the vines, which are 30 years old on average. Converting to organic farming, the vineyard has been in the process of obtaining a biodynamic certification on 30 hectares since 2021.

The vintage

A mild and wet winter favoured the budding of the vines at the end of March. The dry and cool conditions in April and May slowed down the development of the vine and caused some run-off. Although the mild weather in June ensured an even flowering period and a sudden growth spurt in the vineyard, the heavy rainfall led to strong disease pressure, particularly affecting the young Merlot vines during the fruit set. Throughout the summer, the cool weather combined with high humidity increased the pressure of mildew and slowed down the veraison.

Vinification and aging

Vinification by plot. Vatting by gravity. Double-walled, thermo-regulated truncated cone-shaped vats. Aged for 12 months in barrels (40% new) with medium toasting. Traditional racking à l’esquive.

The blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (56%)

Merlot (36%)

Petit Verdot (8%).

Reserve de Pichon Comtesse 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Nose

Complex, the nose blends fruity (raspberry, wild strawberry) and floral (lilac) fragrances with notes of rosemary and liquorice stick.

Palate

Beautifully balanced, the palate is seduced by this wine’s fruity expression (raspberry, cherry) along with its precise tannins, conferring a beautiful tension. The finish is persistent, aerial and aromatic.