RÉSERVE DE LA COMTESSE 2016 3L

Réserve de la Comtesse 2016 – 3L, Double-Magnum
2nd wine of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

“A touch old-school, featuring savory, tobacco and rosemary accents amid a core of concentrated black cherry, red currant and plum paste flavors. Slightly austere, with chalky minerality harnessing the finish. A savory edge peeks in at the last second. For fans of the style. Best from 2022 through 2035.” – 93/100, Wine Spectator

VARIETIES: A blend of  54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. 4% Cabernet Franc – average vine age 35 years
REGION: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
AGEING: Aged for 12 months, 40% in new wood
GUARDING POTENTIAL: Enjoy now or will cellar well up to 20 years, great cellaring potential
SERVE: Serve at 16ºC – 18ºC
FITS TO: Delicious when paired with red meats, especially lamb
CRITICS SCORES: JS/94, D/92, JD/92, WS/92
VIVINO: Average 4.2 ★★★★✰

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Réserve de la Comtesse 2016 | Overview | Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

The second growth of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, the Réserve de la Comtesse, was created and sold for the first time in 1973. Second growths represent between 20 percent and 50 percent of the total production of the Chateau. From the same soil, the second growth benefits from the technology and reputation of the great wine. The archives kept at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande mention the existence of a second wine as early as the 19th century. Réserve de la Comtesse is produced in the Pauillac appellation. The vineyard is planted on gravel, clay and sand, very characteristic of the appellation.

Despite all of the surprises, fears and doubts, 2015 turned out to be a remarkable vintage. The growing cycle took place in perfect conditions up until some extremely dry weather in July, leading to worries over low yields. The rain and associated fungal diseases that we usually fear turned out to work for us from mid-July to mid-September, enabling the vine to reach optimum ripeness levels. The wines are distinctive and exceptionally precise yet also dense and restrained. They remind us of the extremely dense yet ethereal Bordeaux’s of the 1980s, with an excellent aging potential yet able to be enjoyed in their youth.

Nature knows how to reward the winemaker who works hard to look after his land. 2016 is an exceptional vintage and joins the prestigious list of other outstanding years like 1959, 1982, 1996, 2009… 2016.