La Réserve de la Comtesse 2012

Half of the production went into the second wine, the 2012 Reserve de la Comtesse (64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot). It is a medium-bodied, pleasant, creamy, seductive effort. While it does not possess a great deal of depth, it reveals a dark ruby color, attractive smoky, black currant and plum-like notes and light tannin.

Tasted en primeur at the château. This was tasted from a new oak sample although the finished blend will have one-third new oak. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, the Reserve de la Comtesse has a fleshy ripe, relatively forward bouquet with floral scents emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe black tarry fruit. It is very approachable with a silky smooth texture, although it needs more backbone and tension towards the finish. Tasted April 2013.

This is the second wine of Chateau Pichon Lalande.

The nose is succulent and fleshy with ripe black plum and cassis. The palate starts with the same depth of flavour lots of prunes and black cherry enriched by rounded tannins. The finish is fresher still black fruited with an attractive black pepper spiciness. 2018-30.

The team at Pichon-Comtesse did two green harvests in 2012, as well as an enormous
amount of selection, to arrive at this level of quality. This is a very accomplished second
wine, with notes of graphite and green pepper, focused, minerally acidity, good oak
integration and cassis freshness.
Drink: 2018-28