2025 Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande Resèrve de la Comtesse

PREMIERE | AVAILABLE SPRING 2028 Réserve de la Comtesse has been one of Bordeaux's most highly regarded second wines for years. The 2025 shows why. In a year of low yields and high concentration, the Pichon Comtesse team succeeded in producing a wine that effortlessly combines power and refinement. A special year for Pichon Comtesse The 2025 vintage was characterized by a dry and warm summer, while the vines were able to benefit from the water reserves built up in the soil during the wet year of 2024. As a result, ripening proceeded evenly and the grapes were able to retain their freshness. The harvest began as early as August 28, the earliest pick in the history of the château. According to director Nicolas Glumineau, everything in 2025 revolved around balance. The natural power of the fruit was deliberately accompanied by gentle extraction and vinification aimed at finesse. The goal was not maximum concentration, but a wine that expresses the terroir of Pauillac as purely as possible. Composition and upbringing The blend consists of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of the wine, providing structure, freshness, and the distinctive Pauillac character. The Merlot provides roundness and charm, while a small amount of Petit Verdot adds extra complexity. After fermentation, the wine matured for twelve months in French oak barrels, half of which were new. This aging supports the wine without overpowering the fruit and contributes to the refined texture. Scent and taste The nose opens with aromas of raspberries, ripe strawberries, and red currants. Next, nuances of rhubarb, rose petals, cedarwood, and graphite appear. The aromatic profile is recognizably Pauillac, but with striking elegance and precision. On the palate, the wine reveals itself to be rich and juicy, with a core of red and dark fruit. Notes of blackcurrant, spices, and subtle oak influences are supported by soft, polished tannins. The structure gives the wine sufficient depth, while the fresh balance ensures liveliness and length. Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande belongs to the absolute elite of Pauillac and is regarded as one of the most refined producers of the Médoc. The estate boasts an exceptional terroir of deep gravel soils and has been working for years on an increasingly precise approach to vineyard and vinification. Under the leadership of Nicolas Glumineau, both the Grand Vin and Réserve de la Comtesse have acquired a distinct stylistic signature in which elegance, precision, and terroir expression take center stage. One of the strongest second wines of Bordeaux Réserve de la Comtesse is often regarded as one of the benchmarks among Bordeaux's second wines. The 2025 confirms that reputation with a combination of ripe fruit, classic Pauillac notes, and a refined structure. It is a wine that offers much of the character of Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande while being more accessible in its youth