The estate was founded in 1689 by Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan and the vineyard acquired its name a few years later when his daughter Thérèse received it as part of her dowry on her marriage to Jacques de Pichon Longueville, the first President of the Parliament of Bordeaux. It was divided upon the death of Baron Joseph in 1850 between his five children. However, only two of his children finally inherited the vineyards; Raoul and Virginie. Virginie married Count Henri de Lalande, giving her the title, and took over control of the domain. Her passion and the quality of her management made her a strong personality in the Médoc and she very much left her mark on the domain. In the 1855 classification, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande acquired the status of 2eme Cru Classé.
The 76 hectares of this vineyard border the property of Château Latour and stretch south of Pauillac towards the Commune of Saint Julien, whence it gets its extraordinary charm. The exceptional character of the wines produced here, are distinguished by their elegance and finesse.
The temperatures were carefully regulated during the fermentation and the maceration to obtain an aromatic and silky expression of the vintage. Overall, the alcohol-tannin-acid balance was excellent. Malolactic fermentation was minimal due to low temperatures. Maceration: 18 to 24 days.
After a cold winter the BUD BREAK on the vine was fairly late. 7th of April for the Merlot and 12th of April for the Cabernet Sauvignon. From April to July, a dry
and sunny period encouraged the steady development of the vine as well as a quick and uniform FLOWERING around the 4th of June.the VERAISON was quick,
from the 27th of July to the 6th of August across all grape varieties. In August and September colder, wet weather replenished the parcels which suffered water
shortage in the heat wave of July.The HARVEST began the 10th of September until the 8th of October; in spite of several showery periods, each parcel was
harvested at its optimum ripeness.
Compared to several fresher decades, 2015 is a truly sunny vintage. At Pichon Comtesse, the vineyard was bathed in sunlight nourishing its grapes, bursting with juice and full of flavour. This vintage takes us back to the great classics of Pauillac, thanks to a wine that is lively, complex vibrant and… elegant; Pichon Comtesse, of course!
A characteristic style of the appellation, powerful with ripe fruit, aromas of cigar box, cedar and blackcurrant which return on the palate with the addition of raspberry. Deliciously creamy, rich with ripe tannins, full, fresh and long finish.
Lamb, red meats, cheese, truffle and chocolate.
Serve at room temperature.
JamesSuckling.com: 93 POINTS
February 3, 2018, James Suckling
“This is an impressive second wine. It shows a lot of vibrant red berries, blackberries and darker plum fruits. The palate is impressive for the vibrant and lively acidity cast amid sturdy but supple tannins. Second wine from Pichon-Lalande. Try from 2021.”
Vinous Media: 92 POINTS
February 2018, Antonio Galloni
“The 2015 Réserve de la Comtesse is a superb second wine. Time in barrel and egg white fining have softened some of the tannins the 2015 showed as a barrel sample, but the fruit intensity, pedigree and class of the estate are all in the glass. Black cherry graphite, smoke and licorice are some of the many notes that infuse this potent, almost shockingly virile Comtesse. Quite simply, in 2015 Comtesse is equal to, or greater than, many Grand Vins. Don’t miss it. The 2015 spent 12 months in oak, 25% new.”
AOC Pauillac, Bordeaux
53% Cabernet Sauvignon
40% Merlot
4% Cabernet Franc
3% Petit Verdot
Natural Cork
13.5%
No
No
