A rich and dense second wine of Pichon Lalande with a full body, round and juicy tannins and a fruit-driven finish. Chewy, too.

As with the first wine of Comtesse, this is one to look out for in 2018. It’s seductive but with a minerality and pull through the palate joined by plush raspberry and damson fruits – so much depth but also so pretty. As the tannins close in the finish is a little tighter than the mid-palate and when you return to it after tasting the first wine the fruit flavours have been joined by liquorice and touches of woodsmoke, it’s delicious. The split is 50/50 between first and second wine in 2018, with over 90% of the total production used. 1% Cabernet Franc makes up the blend. 9% press wine. 3.85pH, 87IPT. - www.decanter.com, Jane Anson, April 2019

Most of the plots that were planted since 2011 have gone into this. This second wine represents 41% of the crop. 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. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with juicy black fruits and loads of earth/mineral nuances, finishing with lovely freshness and a quiet intensity. Very impressive. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, April 2019, The Wine Advocate

Starting with the second wine of the estate, the 2018 Réserve De Comtesse checks as a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It's another rock star of a second wine that taste more like a grand vin with its terrific perfume of crème de cassis, blackberry, graphite, high-class tobacco, and earth. It's deep, medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and has serious length. - jebdunnuck.com, May 2019

Fresh fruit and spice on the nose. The palate is quite ripe and supple with firm tannins and good freshness. - April 2019

Very dark cherry fruit. Sweeter and riper on the nose than the Pez just tasted, pure, dark and spicy. Much riper than usual. Pencil shavings scent on the palate, lithe and fine tannins, really smooth and gentle, just enough freshness to balance. A gentle touch. Creamy. They have kept lovely harmony.Julia Harding, jancisrobinson.com, April 2019