Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande - Reserve de la Comtesse 2016

JAMES SUCKLING: "The stunning, ripe dark berries and plums on the nose are attractively dressed and deliver a wealth of assertively rich and juicy dark-fruit flavors on the palate, in balanced and elegant yet powerful style. The best Réserve de la Comtesse for some time. Second wine of Château Pichon-Lalande. Try from 2023."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart kräuterwürzig unterlegte rote Herzkirschfrucht, ein Hauch von Orangenzesten. Saftig, süß und elegant, feine Tannine, gute Extraktsüße im Abgang, ein vielseitiger Speisenbegleiter."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes Purpur mit satter Mitte. Im Bouquet Brombeere satt, dahinter mit viel Veilchen und Cassis. Am mittleren Gaumen mit gut eingebettetem Tannin, im aromatischen Finale mit schwarzer Johannisbeere und feiner Frische. Für Direktor Nicolas Glumineau ist dieser Charmebolzen die beste Réserve ever! 17.5/20 "

DECANTER: "An incredibly luscious, gorgeously balanced and rich Réserve de la Comtesse. They picked right up until the light October rain, waiting until it had passed before continuing. Those extra few days have contributed to the particularly soft and silky quality of the tannins in the Cabernet Sauvignon, which have a gorgeous density to them. This is a serious wine that could stand up against many Médoc grand vins. The blend here is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot."

JEB DUNNUCK: "From a vintage compared to 1996 and 2009, both terrific yet different vintages, the 2016 Reserve de la Comtesse is a beauty with a classic Cabernet nose of blackcurrants, graphite, lead pencil, and flowers. It's medium-bodied, supple, incredibly elegant, and seamless on the palate, with loads of charm and character. It's another second wine that delivers the goods."

WINE SPECTATOR: "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."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Medium bodied, forward, polished and fruity, the wine is silky, fresh and inviting. This is a new challenger in the quality race for the top second wine in Bordeaux. This year’s blend is unique with all the Petit Verdot from the vineyard and more Cabernet Franc than usual."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2016 Reserve de la Comtesse is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with beautiful kirsch, cassis and redcurrants with hints of red roses, black tea, black pepper, chocolate box and cloves. The palate is medium-bodied, very elegant and fresh with gorgeous silken tannins and loads of bright fruit, finishing spicy."