19
WEINWISSER: "88 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 % Merlot, 10 % Cabernet Franc. 60 % Grand Vin, 15 hl/ ha, 12.9 Vol.-%, pH 3.75. Dicht verwobenes Bouquet, betörender Iris-Duft, frischgepflückte Alpenheidelbeere, Schokopastillen, helles Graphit. Im zweiten Ansatz Pauillac at its best: frischer schwarzer Bergpfeffer, edle Cassiswürze, Havanna und getrocknete Rosenblätter. Am vibrierenden Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, alles am richtigen Platz, engmaschiges Tanningerüst, kakaoartig und perfekt geformter Körper. Im konzentrierten, ewig langen Finale explodiert der Pauillac, Waldhimbeere, Graphit und erhabene Adstringenz. Punktet dieses Jahr mit unglaublicher Präzision und Finesse, erinnert Nicolas Glumineau an 1996."
96
DECANTER: "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!"
95-
97
WINE ENTHUSIAST: "95–97. Barrel Sample. The wine's structure is a major factor here. It brings out sumptuous tannins to go with the juicy black fruits and spice tones. Black currants sing from this wine with its dominating Cabernet Sauvignon."
18,5
VINUM: "Tannin: Superb."
94-
96
THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "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-
95+
THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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
JAMES SUCKLING: "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."
94
FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Edelholznuancen, ein Hauch von Nougat und Kardamom, mit kandierten Orangenzesten unterlegt. Komplex, stoffig, Brombeernuancen, gut integrierte, tragende Tannine, schokoladiger Touch im Abgang, sicheres Reifepotenzial. Stilistisch so nahe an Latour wie selten."
91-
93+
LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Merlot, the 2021 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is deep garnet-purple in color. It springs from the glass with a beautiful perfume of violets, fallen leaves, and menthol, followed by a core of cassis, iron ore, and tree bark. Medium-bodied, the palate has a sturdy frame of chewy tannins and a lively line supporting the delicately styled, mineral-tinged fruit, finishing with impressive length."
17
JANCIS ROBINSON: "88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot. Cask sample.
Characteristic elegance but the Pauillac character still evident. Fragrant nose with dark-fruit and floral notes and just a hint of chocolate. Persistent fruit through the mid palate with finely edged tannins. Well structured with good energy and drive, the finish persistent. Balanced and harmonious. (JL)"
