Pichon Comtesse de Lalande - Pauillac 2015

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe7/10/2019

The 2015 Pichon Lalande has a sophisticated bouquet of blackberry, pencil shavings, black pepper and discreet touches of wild mint, all beautifully defined and focused. There is some quality Cabernet here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, superb acidity, gentle grip and satisfying tension toward the fresh, vivid finish. One of the best Pauillacs of 2015, this is a magnificent wine from Nicolas Glumineau and his team. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Wine Advocate

96

byNeal Martinthe3/2/2018

The 2015 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has a beautiful bouquet that soars from the glass: blackberry, bilberry, potent graphite scents that lend it an air of Pauillac. I love the precision here and the manner in which it builds and gains momentum with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, good depth and delineation, layers of black fruit infused with graphite. There are certainly semblances to the great 1996 here, the Cabernet Sauvignon remaining in the driver's seat and lending structure and a sense of aristocracy on the finish. This is a serious Pichon Lalande for long-term aging. Anticipated maturity: 2021 - 2045. 

Vinous

98

byAntonio Gallonithe2/27/2018

The 2015 Pichon Comtesse is a towering wine, as it has always been. Rich, sumptuous and totally hedonistic, the 2015 melds together intense fruit with structure. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2015 is going to need a number of years and will then drink well for several decades. Grilled herbs, smoke, new leather and licorice are some of the many notes that are layered into the dark-fleshed fruit for complexity. As good as the 2015 is today, it also has room to grow. Technical Director Nicolas Glumineau has done a tremendous job with the 2015s at Pichon Comtesse. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in oak, 55% new.

Wine Advocate

96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe2/22/2018

A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged for 18 months in barrels, 60% new, the 2015 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color and is elegantly fruited with crushed red currants, black raspberries and cassis with touches of lavender, rose hips, tilled soil, fungi and charcuterie. Medium-bodied, finely crafted, remarkably pure and beautifully poised, it has a firm frame of very fine-grained tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note.

Wine Spectator

95

byJames Molesworththe2/15/2018

A fresh and focused style, with a terrific beam of black cherry and black currant compote flavors. Strong graphite and black tea notes harness the finish, ending with alder and tobacco echoes. This has serious length without losing any drive along the way. Best from 2022 through 2038.   –JM

Jamessuckling.com

97

byJames Sucklingthe2/12/2018

This shows spices, pepper, blueberries and blackcurrants on the nose. Full body, very polished tannins and a long and beautiful finish. Shows such gorgeous texture. Precise and transparent. Try in 2022.

Decanter.com

95

byJane Ansonthe1/26/2018

I love the burnished damson fruit on the nose. This has that sexy, charred damson and charcoal thing going on, with smooth silky tannins and real impact. Great Pauillac typicity with a floral flourish. It turns up the dial fairly high and has real impact, but just manages to err on the right side of restraint, with savoury herb notes bringing elegance. It has a juicy, creamy texture, which is not true in all Pauillacs in 2015.

Jeb DUNNUCK

97

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

I tasted the 2015 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande on three separate occasions rating it 97 twice and 98 once. Checking in as a final blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this is a nuanced style of wine that grows on you with time in the glass, and the larger Merlot component always gives it a more supple, seductive texture. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, spring flowers, leafy herbs and lead pencil notes all flow to a full-bodied, ultra-pure, seamless beauty that builds on the palate, has fine tannin and a great, great finish. As classy as they come, it will continue to impress for two to three decades.

Jancis Robinson

17,5

byJulia Harding MWthe11/8/2017

Mid crimson. Heady and dense and so thick it almost tastes as though you could stand a spoon up in this wine!! Lots of fun. Not too sweet and masses of structure but maybe slightly less sophisticated than the other Pichon? 17.5+

Vinous

96-98

byAntonio Gallonithe10/20/2017

A wild, exotic wine, the 2015 Pichon Lalande is a freak of nature. Even at this early stage in its life, the 2015 is racy and plush to the core, with no hard edges and a level of flamboyance that is out of character for Pichon. No matter, the 2015 is fabulous. Super-ripe, dark and exotic, the 2015 will surely need a bit of time to shed some baby fat, but is utterly magnificent.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97

byJeff Levethe4/30/2016

This beauty is hard to resist. Deep, dark ruby in color, this wine opens with licorice, tobacco and cassis dusted with cocoa, herbs, spice and blackberries -- and that’s just the beginning. Pure silk and velvet in texture, this wine feels delightful on your palate and the sensuous experience carries all the way through. With a smattering of dusty tannins, the dark ripe fruits in the finish combine freshness and purity. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, this wine reached 13.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.68 and was produced from about 50% of the harvest.

Wine Advocate

95-97

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2016

The 2015 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that was picked from 10 September with the young Merlot, finishing on 9 October. It includes 12.5% vin de presse (which incidentally was included in the blend). It has a very pure bouquet with expressive Merlot imparting black cherries and wild strawberry aromas that are embroidered with a thread of graphite. I noticed how it errs more towards black fruit with extended aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannin on the entry, the Cabernet Sauvignon here in the driving seat despite that level of Merlot trying to get in a look. Together they give a sense of completeness to this Pichon Lalande that has semblances towards the great 1996. Whereas this Pauillac has a tendency to be more approachable than others, in fact, the 2015 has the backbone and substance to suggest that it will require a minimum of ten years' ageing, but patience will be amply rewarded. Nicolas Glumineau has overseen a quite brilliant Pichon Lalande here.

Decanter.com

92

bySteven Spurrierthe4/27/2016

Fragrance and depth on the nose but a sense of over-ripeness puts it out of step with the vintage at the moment – even with the Comtesse lift and freshness. But time will probably be on its side. 2022-2035

Vinous

96-98

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

A dazzling, towering wine, the 2015 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has put on considerable weight in just the last few months. Today, the 2015 is vivid and intense, with a huge backbone of tannin and marvelous complexity. In 2015, the Cabernet Sauvignon is pushed higher as the Merlot was less consistent in its ripening. Graphite, charcoal, tobacco, crème de cassis and new leather are some of the signatures in what is shaping up to be a super-classic Pichon-Lalande. Simply put, the 2015 is one of the wines of the vintage. Tasted four times.

timatkin.com

96

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

Wine Enthusiast

94-96

byRoger Vossthe4/15/2016

Barrel Sample. This is a surprisingly tender wine with its opulent Merlot filling out the firmer Cabernet. The acidity cuts to the heart while leaving room for a fresher, crisper character that is juicy and delicious. This will be a very fine wine. 95 points

Jamessuckling.com

96-97

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2016

This is absolutely beautiful with super tannin quality that gives you the most silky texture. Precise. It goes for minutes. Full and concentrated yet all in balance.

Wine Spectator

94-97

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2016

This has excellent energy, featuring voluptuous blackberry and black currant fruit lined with cassis bush, bay leaf, wet stone and iron notes, with sweet tobacco filling in the background. The finish is broad and long, with a nice graphite edge. This is Pauillac.—J.M.