Between controlled power and assured elegance, the Réserve de Pichon Comtesse 2022 embodies the spirit of Pauillac AOC as one expects from a legendary name. The second wine of Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande draws on exceptional vine heritage and constant exacting standards to offer a subtle, immediate and deeply Médoc expression. The material, upright and finely textured, opens onto luminous fruit, precise contours and a polished texture that invites indulgence without sacrificing structure. Here, the estate's signature expresses itself with ease, an elegantly orchestrated variation around Cabernet depth and Merlot suppleness, unostentatious and with that superb restraint that marks great Bordeaux wines. A bottle for enthusiasts seeking authenticity, aromatic conversation and lasting table-side emotion.

Blend and winemaking

La Réserve de Pichon Comtesse is born from meticulous selections intended to translate the house style into a more accessible approach. Parcels and lots are chosen for their frank fruit expression, precise extraction and the finesse of their tannic grain. Vinification, carried out with the same artisanal care as the grand vin, aims for balance, definition and purity of expression. Each step is guided by the search for accuracy, from harvest to the cellar, in order to preserve the natural brightness of the bouquet and the delicacy of the framework. Ageing, managed with discernment, refines the contours, adds depth without imprinting the wine, and reveals a palate that is both caressing and well structured. The result, bright and true to its terroir, sits in the lineage of fine Pauillacs, with that touch of grace that signs Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Dense and glossy, crossed by a clear core that gently catches the light. The clarity announces precise work, controlled concentration and a lively sap.
• Nose : Nuanced bouquet of ripe black and red fruits, punctuated by touches of graphite, cedar and fine spices. With aeration, notes of noble undergrowth and dry leaf add depth, resulting in a precise and harmonious perfume, typical of Pauillac's great terroirs.
• Palate : Clean attack, savoury flesh and a tight, fine-grained tannic weave. The mid-palate blends fruit brightness and savoury length, supported by fresh energy. The finish, straight and persistent, lingers on a hint of spice and discreet oak, with a sense of relief that calls for food.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve La Réserve de Pichon Comtesse in large glasses to fully open its bouquet. Measured aeration, either in a decanter or directly in the glass, allows the nuances to unfold with grace and precision. Let the wine find its rhythm without haste to enjoy a texture that relaxes and a fruit that gains intensity. Store bottles on their side, protected from light, in a calm, temperate environment. Depending on your preference, you can enjoy the cuvée young for its immediate charm, or wait a few years to see its aromatic fabric gain complexity, always backed by exemplary table presence.

Food pairings

• Bold aperitifs : delicate game rillettes, artisan charcuterie, gougères with aged cheese to underline the fruit's directness and the backbone's straightness.
• Starters : country terrine with herbs, hand-chopped beef tartare, pan-fried cep mushrooms in a reduced jus, which converse with the wine's spicy dimension and freshness.
• Main courses : roasted rack of lamb, seared and rested rib steak, spiced duck with reduced jus and root vegetables. The savoury flesh highlights the Pauillac's depth.
• Cheeses : aged tomme, well-aged Comté, extra Mimolette, which respond to the structure and length without overpowering them.
• Signature moments : chic bistro cooking, wine sauces and rich jus, seasonal mushrooms—companions that exalt the Médoc's energy.

Tasting occasions

La Réserve de Pichon Comtesse 2022 is the ideal companion:

• For an evening with connaisseurs, when conversation calls for a wine that is frank, structured and welcoming.
• At a Sunday family meal, among family or friends, where seasonal cooking showcases its uprightness and charm.
• As a gift for an enthusiast, promising a shared moment marked by Pauillac style and French art de vivre.

Characteristics

• Name : Réserve de Pichon Comtesse 2022
• Appellation : Pauillac AOC
• Type : Red wine, second wine of Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
• Vintage : 2022
• Grape varieties : blend of traditional Médoc varieties, in the spirit of the appellation
• Alcohol : not disclosed
• Ageing : carried out according to the estate's practices to preserve balance and purity
• Format : bottle
• Cellaring : depending on cellar conditions, good short- and medium-term potential
• Serving temperature : at dining-room temperature, in appropriate glasses