Some fresh-herb, cedar and berry aromas and flavors. Medium to full body, creamy tannins and a delicious finish. Shows tension and structure, though it’s a little green. Second wine of Château Pichon-Longueville Lalande.

The 2017 Reserve de la Comtesse is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it strolls out of the glass with nonchalant notions of preserved red plums, black cherries, kirsch and black raspberries with wafts of wilted roses, cinnamon toast, fallen leaves and tilled soil. Medium-bodied, the palate is very pretty, with delicately played tannins and bags of freshness, finishing wonderfully fragrant.

The vibrant second wine of Pichon Lalande. Elegant, creamy and attractive with forest fruit and blackcurrant. Great balance - what a lovely wine! - April 2018

The 2017 Reserve de la Comtesse, which is matured in 30% new oak and 70% one-year old, has a really quite beautiful bouquet with perfumed blackberry, blueberry and subtle vanilla scents. The palate is medium-bodied with just a little sinew on the entry. There is certainly good weight and backbone here, quite saline compared to its peers with a slightly chalky finish with a touch of charcoal. Very fine. Tasted twice with consistent notes. - vinous.com, May 2018

The 2017 Réserve de la Comtesse is a very serious second wine. Maybe too serious. Dense and closed in on itself, the Réserve offers notable depth and complexity. Time in the glass brings out the wine's more floral, red-toned side, but the 2017 remains tightly wound and not fully expressive. I tasted the Réserve three times, but still feel it was never totally put together. - vinous.com, May 2018

Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Reserve de la Comtesse is very deep garnet-purple colored and opens with expressive cassis, dark chocolate, violets and Sichuan pepper notions with hints of black olives and hoisin. Medium-bodied, it's elegant, fresh and chewy in the mouth with a long, earthy finish.
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, erobertparker.com, April 2018

Sweeter fruited than Pez, even lightly floral. Much better balance and more juicy on the palate. Lightish but all in proportion. Tannins are fine and they need to be with only moderate depth of fruit. - Julia Harding, jancisrobinson.com, April 2018

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Sweeter fruited than Pez, even lightly floral. Much better balance and more juicy on the palate. Lightish but all in proportion. Tannins are fine and they need to be with only moderate depth of fruit. (JH)