Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2018 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot with a pH of 3.85, an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 87 and 14% alcohol. The grand vin represents 50% of the crop this year. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with bold scents of baked plums, ripe blackcurrants and wild blueberries, followed by hints of cedar chest, pencil lead, bouquet garni and charcuterie, plus a waft of lilacs. The medium-bodied palate is beautifully crafted with its seamless freshness and firm, grainy tannins supporting the compelling, finely knit black fruits and savory nuances, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. This will need a good 5 years to come around and should easily cellar for another 30 years or more.

James Suckling

Aromas of blackberry, dried blueberry, gravel, mocha and cigar box. Light fresh-herb undertone. It’s full-bodied with firm, ultra fine tannins and fresh acidity. Focused and minerally with a long finish. Great length. Very tight and restrained at the moment. Wait until at least 2026 to take a look.

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

VertdeVin

The nose is elegant, fruity, fine, captivating and offers a beautiful definition, a beautiful finesse, deepness, tension/straightness as well as a beautiful finesse of the grain. It reveals notes of blackberry, cassis and small ntoes of small black fruits associated with touches of gravels, raspberry, wild strawberry as well as small touches of spices flowers, discreet toasted hints and very discreet hints of coffee (in the background). The palate is fruity, fleshy, juicy, elegant, well-balanced and offers a beautiful mineral frame as well as a beautiful finesse of the grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/fleshy blackberry, ripe/juicy raspberry and racy minerality associated with touches of flowers, fleshy/crushed cassis, fine touches of graphite, discreet hints of chocolate, toasted/caramelization as well as very discreet hints of toasted almond and hazelnut. Tannins are elegant, racy and structuring. Good length. There are imperceptible hints of nutmeg/cardamom in the background.

Wine Enthusiast

This famous estate at the southern end of Pauillac has produced a powerful wine. Packed blackberry fruits, laced with acidity, are just starting out on a long journey along with the tannins. The wine's elegance is beautifully preserved within the structure. With considerable potential, the wine should not be drunk before 2027.

Adrian van Velsen - vvWine.ch