![]() A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the very deep purple-black colored 2018 Reserve de la Comtesse opens slowly to offers glimpses and dusty soil, Sichuan pepper, garrigue and tobacco over a core of warm black cherries, cassis and blackberry pie plus a waft of crushed rocks. This second wine represents 41% of the crop. "Most of the plots that were planted since 2011 have gone into this. This is a powerful Réserve de la Comtesse that will require three to five years in bottle." - Neal Martin,, (November, 2019), Ratings: (90-92), Drink: 2021-2034 The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannin and pure black fruit laced with graphite and white pepper, leading to quite a dense but focused finish. It has a relatively opulent bouquet, although not overdone, armed with copious blackberries, iodine and violet scents that gain intensity in the glass. "The 2018 Réserve de la Comtesse is matured in 40% new oak, 30% one year old and 30% two years old. The female legacy was honored, and the estate remained in the hands of the same family for over 250 years. Instead of passing down the estate to male heirs, the estate was passed from aunts to nieces. She made many contributions including commissioning the popular architect Duphot to build a residence inspired by the Hotel de Lalande located in Bordeaux. After a few years, Virgine, the wife of the Count de Lalande, took over management of the estate. ![]() ![]() Though it stood adjacent to the First Growth Château Latour, the wines from Comtesse de Lalande carved out a distinct taste profile from the traditional Pauillac style. In the 18th Century, the property was run entirely by three women: Therese de Rauzan, Germaine de Laujus and Marie Branda de Terrefort. The origins of the property date back to 1850 when Baron Joseph Pichon Longueville divided his large estate in two upon his death his male heirs received Château Pichon Longueville au Baron and his daughters received Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. ![]()
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