Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2020

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

On the nose, elegant, opulent and earthy, with delicacy, power and subtlety airy quality, a nice fine texture, a very discreet hint of iodine and a bit of stretch. It reveals notes of juicy/fresh cassis, bright blackberry and hints of strawberry combined with touches of blueberry, graphite, black tea, hints of cherry, cherry blossom, iris, grey pepper as well as very discreet hints of nutmeg, sweet spices, a subtle hint of cinnamon, tonka bean, an imperceptible hint of iris and peel. On the palate , fruity, balanced, distinguished and offers juiciness, nice freshness, good definition, delicate gourmandize, roundness, a very nice refined suavity and a lot of subtlety in its potency and its definition. A “three dimensional” side in its definition. The wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, bright cassis and hints of bright cherry combined with touches of wild raspberry, berries, cherry blossom, violet, nutmeg, fresh blond tobacco with hints of cardamom, roasted hazelnut and discreet, almost sappy notes (in the background. The tannins are elegant, precise, delicate and harmoniously brought. Good length and persistence. Presence of very discreet bitter orange tips on the palate/persistence. The end of the palate is justly tense.

VertdeVin

On the nose, elegant, opulent and earthy, with delicacy, power and subtlety airy quality, a nice fine texture, a very discreet hint of iodine and a bit of stretch. It reveals notes of juicy/fresh cassis, bright blackberry and hints of strawberry combined with touches of blueberry, graphite, black tea, hints of cherry, cherry blossom, iris, grey pepper as well as very discreet hints of nutmeg, sweet spices, a subtle hint of cinnamon, tonka bean, an imperceptible hint of iris and peel. On the palate , fruity, balanced, distinguished and offers juiciness, nice freshness, good definition, delicate gourmandize, roundness, a very nice refined suavity and a lot of subtlety in its potency and its definition. A “three dimensional” side in its definition. The wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, bright cassis and hints of bright cherry combined with touches of wild raspberry, berries, cherry blossom, violet, nutmeg, fresh blond tobacco with hints of cardamom, roasted hazelnut and discreet, almost sappy notes (in the background. The tannins are elegant, precise, delicate and harmoniously brought. Good length and persistence. Presence of very discreet bitter orange tips on the palate/persistence. The end of the palate is justly tense.

Wine Maniacs

Discrete, complex, solid! Fresh and perfectly ripe fruit profile, but the wine is not focusing on expressing its fruits at this stage. Rather it is presenting a grand structure, with lots of well placed details. The tannins are exquisite and well polished, presenting as a smooth layer of chocolatey mouthfeel. Oak aromas are not evident but on the palate although it does show at the finish, which will mellow through aging.

Falstaff

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening at the rim. Delicate floral scents underpin ripe cherry fruit with fine nuances of blackberry and cassis, attractive spices - cardamom, cloves and candied orange zest; an inviting bouquet. Juicy, intense pronounced ripe plum fruit, a whisper of nougat, ripe tannins, good length, tender roasting flavours on the finish. Masses of ageing potential.

Adrian van Velsen - vvWine.ch

Decanter

Softer and silkier than many Pauillacs in the vintage, this is a clear success. Hugely silky and seductive, with grip, power and finesse. One of the best of the appellation, with finessed tobacco, heather and plump blueberry and cassis fruit, expertly managing the low 30hl/ha yield. 60% new oak. Tasted twice.

James Suckling

This is extremely structured, but with a level of polish and refinement that highlights the excellence of the terroir. Very long and expansive on the palate, showing class and beauty. Powerful, yet comes across refined and curated at the end. Lovely texture.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande begins on a single, well-defined, wonderfully pure note of ripe blackcurrants, opening out to a melody of redcurrant jelly, kirsch, ripe blackberries and tar, with emerging suggestions of dark chocolate, cardamom, ground cloves and violets, with a waft of black truffles. Medium-bodied, tightly wound and with loads of fantastically nuanced black fruit layers, it has a rock-solid frame of finely grained tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. The blend this year is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc.