Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande - Reserve de la Comtesse 2014

JAMES SUCKLING: " Rose-petal, cassis-bush and berry aromas. Medium to full body, tangy acidity and a soft and velvety mouthfeel. Round and friendly. Second wine of Pichon Lalande. Drink in 2019."

DECANTER: "The excellence of this second wine vindicates the appointment of Nicolas Glumineau as technical director in 2012. The nose shows black fruit aromas, and there's immediate, lush, forward fruit on the attack. It's suave and concentrated, but also remarkably deep, weighty, robust and structured, with a long finish - this has clear ageing potential."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2014 Reserve de Comtesse de Lalande has a very fresh and vibrant bouquet with lovely cedar-infused black fruit that sings of Pauillac-ness (apologies for the made-up word!). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp and elegant with a keen line of acidity. This feels quite linear at the moment and perhaps the finish could have dealt more complexity commensurate with the aromatics. Yet there is bundles of freshness infused into this Deuxième Vin and there is a palpable salinity on the aftertaste."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Leicht milchiges, holundriges Bouquet, völlig offen und mit ansprechender Aromatik. Cremiger Gaumen mit viel Charme. Damit kann man schon beim ersten Kontakt in ein paar Jahren enorm viel Spass haben."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Deep, with a core of steeped plum, cassis and raspberry paste notes that are easily carried by a graphite spine, while anise and roasted apple wood details fill in the background. Shows lots of briary energy through the finish. Best from 2018 through 2026."