Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande 2001

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The high proportion of Merlot in Pichon Lalande is a good reason why this wine, among the great wines of Pauillac, is always so seductive. This is no exception; it charms as well as excites with vibrant fruits as well as serious, dense tannins and acidity that promise good aging. Give it 7–9 years for full maturity to begin."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A distinctive bouquet of violets, soy, pepper, blackberries, cassis, and tree bark gives this 2001 a singular style. This dense ruby/purple-colored blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and a whopping 14% Petit Verdot exhibits plenty of structure, wonderful sweetness, a closed style, but a rich, textured, persistent character. The unusually large percentage of Petit Verdot gives the wine more structure and less initial charm. This beauty needs some time in the cellar. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Blending 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and a whopping 14% Petit Verdot, this medium/full bodied wine offers earth, wood, forest floor, floral, blackberry, cassis and tobacco in the nose. Silk and velvet in texture, this supple, elegant, Pauillac is delicious today. There is no reason to wait to pop a cork. Drink now or over the next 15 years."

WEINWISSER: "Reifende Farbe, etwas matt, viel Granat im aufhellenden Rand. Offenes Bouquet, noch Fruchtreste zeigend, aber auch erste Terroirnuancen. Saftiger Gaumen, wirkt elegant und irgendwie bereits voll ready, Schoko- und Sandelholztöne im angenehmen Finale."