La Réserve de la Comtesse 2015

Perfumed fragrant the nose is bright and fresh the start of the palate light with bramble and bilberry freshness. The fruit in the middle is ripe and sweet fleshy and velvety but bright at the back with a lighter fresher feel to the finish.

Attractive in its youth, as it often is, the second wine from Pichon-Comtesse ages well,too. This is floral, fine and well balanced with skilfully judged tannins and oak and goodunderlying structure. Impressive stuff. Drink: 2020-28

There is a large uplift in quality here which is evident in the calibre of fruit used in this wine. The depth and focus here isadmirable and the perfume, coming mainly from the Merlot, is charming. The work going on at Pichon Lalande to keepMerlot a crucial element of their wines is fantastic, bearing in mind that 25% Pauillac is Merlot and that a lot of otherChâteaux are dropping from their blends! A huge success, completely related to the Grand Vin and also a standalone,Merlot-soaked beauty. Well done.

The 2015 Reserve de la Comtesse is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. It has a very fine, quite sophisticated and pure bouquet with black cherries, cedar and violet aromas, perfumed and sensual. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, rounded tannin that is cloaked by layers of tobacco-tinged black fruit that segues into a long, lightly spiced finish. This is a delightful, quite serious deuxième vin that I suspect will age much longer than drinkers will afford it. Try to give this five years and you will be rewarded. Drink 2020-2035

Lots of blackberry and blueberry aromas and flavors. Full body, chewy tannins and a savory finish. A juicy second wine from PL.

Really very opulent - just like blackberry juice! Until some slightly drying tannins on the end. Very Merlot-influenced with great sweetness. Early maturing. A real fleshy charmer. 13.62%Drink 2021-2030