Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande 2009

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a little reticent to begin, slowly giving way to notions of warm black cherries, blackcurrant cordial, stewed plums and sautéed herbs with hints of damp soil, tobacco and beef drippings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound black fruit and earthy layers, framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness making for a long, lively finish. Classic!"

DECANTER: "Roederer Estates had owned Pichon Comtesse for three years prior to the 2009 vintage, having taken over in 2006, with Gildas d'Ollone as managing director and Thomas Do-Chi-Nam as technical director. Together, they created a stunning, lyrical 2009 that just begs to be savoured. It’s ripe and intense, rippling with juicy blackberry and blackcurrant fruit and touches of violet on the nose. A beautifully balanced wine."

FALSTAFF: "Leuchtendes dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand. Leichte Nuancen von Nougat und schwarzem Waldbeerkonfit, Anklänge von Heidelbeere, Karamell und süßem Edelholz. Saftig, extraktsüß, elegante Textur, feste reife Tannine, sehr gute Frische, mineralisch und anhaftend, bereits zugänglich, zeigt große Länge, mit weiterem Entwicklungspotenzial ausgestattet. Bereits antrinkbar, aber besser noch warten."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A seductive wine, deliciously ripe with the softest, juiciest fruit over smoky new wood. The wine shows intense fruit as well as a soft Merlot core. The tannins are beautifully integrated in this ripely sweet wine."

JAMES SUCKLING: "What a nose of dried spices, even chilies, with currants and blackberries. Full bodied, with ultra-fine tannins and a compacted fruit structure. Pretty length. Very fine indeed. Classic nose with the Petit Verdot spice."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With a decade, now you find the secondary aromatics staring to poke through. The tannins have moved to the softer side as well. The wine is medium-bodied, rich and concentrated with layers of sun drenched, luscious, sensual, ripe, opulent fruits. The finish has a bit of dust to the tannins, which does not take away from the silkiness found here. Another 5 years will add even more refinement and secondary nuances."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Bright and sappy, with kirsch and damson plum notes streaking along, followed by tangy iron and floral notes alongside. There's good zip and cut along the finish, with a lingering mineral edge. Best from 2013 through 2023. 21,665 cases made."