Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande - Reserve 2019
In Pauillac, Réserve de la Comtesse is the second expression of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Second Grand Cru Classé in 1855 and one of the most emblematic estates of the appellation. The vineyard occupies deep gravelly ridges located in the immediate vicinity of the Gironde estuary, in an environment particularly favorable to Cabernet Sauvignon. However, the significant presence of Merlot is one of the estate's historical signatures and contributes to giving the wines a texture often softer and more enveloping than many neighboring Pauillacs. Réserve de la Comtesse benefits from the same parcel work and the same selection requirements as the grand vin but seeks a more accessible expression in its youth. The warm and bright 2019 vintage allowed for complete ripening while preserving a beautiful freshness in the grapes. This combination results in generous matter, precise tannins, and particularly clear fruit. The wine thus retains the elegance of the estate while offering a more immediate and gourmand reading of its terroir.
Réserve de la Comtesse 2019 blends 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure, freshness, and length, while Merlot gives a fuller and velvety mid-palate texture. Cabernet Franc completes the blend with a more floral and spicy expression. The different lots are vinified separately to preserve the personality of the parcels before the final blend. Extractions are carried out with precision to maintain the finesse of the tannic grain and the brightness of the fruit. Aging in French oak barrels gradually supports the matter without seeking a dominant woody imprint. The 2019 vintage now has enough suppleness to be appreciated while retaining a structure that will allow it to evolve harmoniously over several years.
The color shows a deep garnet with still strong ruby reflections. The nose opens on blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry, accompanied by violet, cedar, and graphite. With aeration, nuances of licorice, cocoa, blond tobacco, and fine spices gradually appear. The palate is ample and silky, with well-integrated tannins that give depth without rigidity. Merlot brings roundness and velvety texture, while Cabernet Sauvignon maintains a fresh and persistent framework through to the finish. The finish extends on black fruits, graphite, spices, and a discreet smoky note. Réserve de la Comtesse 2019 will accompany duck breast, roasted rack of lamb, beef fillet with porcini mushrooms, pigeon, or veal chop with mushrooms.
Grape varieties: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
