Countess of Lalande - - Château Pichon Longueville - Pauillac 2001 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe6/12/2018

Sneaky, with a modest set of currant and tobacco aromas and a more expressive core of bramble, tar, singed cedar and warm fig paste flavors. Shows a sleekness through the finish, with a racy iron note underneath that gives this length and interesting contrast. Best from 2020 through 2030. NA cases made.

WeinWisser

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2012

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. Trinken 2028

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2005

One of the best wines of the vintage, this is a classic Pauillac that is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot. Dense ruby/purple in color with a glorious nose of melted licorice, lavender, barbecue smoke, black currants, and graphite, the wine is tannic, classically structured with an opaque ruby/purple color, beautiful definition, and a 1996-ish personality. This deep, full-bodied, elegant yet powerful 2002 should age handsomely for over two decades. Some patience will be required since this vintage exhibits more muscle and virility than normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2004

Plenty of tobacco, berry and cedar aromas and flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, with sweet fruit and refined tannins. Long and ripe fruit on the finish. Not quite as exciting as from barrel. Best after 2007.

Wine Advocate

90-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2003

This wine has put on weight and expanded handsomely during its upbringing in barrel. Only 30% of the production made it into this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 14% Petit Verdot. The 2001 has a dense, saturated purple color and an enticing perfume of melted chocolate intermixed with coffee beans, black currant, truffle, and damp earth. The wine is impressively rich, deep, medium to full-bodied, with some noticeable tannin and cedar notes in the finish. In need of 3-4 years of cellaring, it should keep for at least two decades. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2022.

Carnets de dégustation RVF

/ 100

the2/10/2003

La grande robe brillante dévoile davantage de nuance bleu-noir de jeunesse que beaucoup d'autres. Le nez puissant et racé présente une complexité rare dans le millésime, les notes d'épices étant affinées par une élégante note florale (à l'image de Figeac). Puissante pour le cru, la bouche recèle une texture suave à souhait, et, fait rare sur ce terroir, le tannin revient avec beaucoup de force en finale, ce qui laisse prévoir une évolution très longue. Nous apprécions particulièrement sa fraîcheur aromatique dans un millésime dont ce n'est pas le point fort. Plus il s'aère, plus sa distinction et sa complexité s'affirment. Grand vin.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2002

The dense purple/blue/black-colored Pichon Lalande exhibits a spicy perfume offering scents of cedar, incense, earth, black currant and berry fruit. Firm, pure, and surprisingly more Pauillac in style than usual (many Pichon Lanandes reveal a silky, St.-Julien-like character), the 2001 does not have the power, volume, or size of the 2000. A strong effort for the vintage, it possesses high acidity as well as more noticeable tannin. Proprietor Madame de Lencquesaing is proud of her 2001 Pichon Lalande. Only 37% of the production made it into the grand vin (a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and a whopping 14% Petit Verdot - an historic high for this varietal). Yields were 45 hectoliters per hectare. The normally late to mature Petit Verdot was actually harvested before the Cabernet Sauvignon, which was picked between October 3-14.