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Goedhuis, April 2023, Score: 97-99
Whilst 2022 is very much a vintage in its own mould, tasting this glorious wine from cask conjures up nuances and sensations that are reminiscent of their famed 1982. Comparisons from one year to another are always dangerous, but this has all the potential to be one of the property’s future greats. Floral lilac scent, black fruit preserve and ground coffee bean. It is instantly generous and gratifying, silky and graceful as it flows across the tongue. Wonderfully hedonistic, whilst retaining a sense of poise and composure. Quite simply, this is a beauty.
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Neal Martin, April 2023, Score: 96-98
The 2022 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande was picked 6 to 27 September at 30hL/ha, the drought chipping away so that one-third was eventually lost. This has 13.65% alcohol and pH of 3.80. There is 17.5% pressed wine, the highest ever. This has a subtle bouquet, not understated but it unfurls in the glass (unlike others that explode.) Blackberry and cedar, light touches of mint, a hint of dark chocolate. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety texture with lovely balanced, gentle but insistent grip, slightly granular as it fans out with black fruit, cedar and light graphite notes. This is a very suave Pichon-Lalande that will age with style. Drink 2029-2065
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Antonio Galloni, April 2023, Score: 96-99
The 2022 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is magnificent. In recent years, Estate Director Nicolas Glumineau has pushed Pichon Comtesse to the limit. Maybe even a bit too far. But the 2022 is in the end a super-classic wine that emphasizes mid-weight structure, aromatic presence and persistence more than size. Sweet floral, savory and mineral accents run through a core of ripe, racy red-toned fruit. All the elements are so well balanced. Tasted four times. Drink 2032-2062.
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Wine Advocate, April 2023, Score: 97-99
The 2022 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is one wine where a comparison with this estate's magical 1982 doesn't appear to be far-fetched. Wafting from the glass with deep aromas of cassis, plums, violets, rose petals, tobacco leaf and pencil shavings, it's full-bodied, supple and fleshy, with a layered, seamless core of fruit that largely conceals its chassis of powdery structuring tannin. Concluding with a long, expansive and beautifully perfumed finish, it's a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc that has the potential to equal or even surpass the 2019 and 2016 vintages at this address. It checks in at a very classical 13.6% alcohol and a rather high pH of 3.80.
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James Suckling, April 2023, Score: 98-99
I love the aromatics here with botanicals as well as currants, blackberries and oranges. Full-bodied with incredible tannins that build on the palate with finesse and focus. Featherlight but always there. Stealth in structure. Very vertical. Savory. Superb. 78% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 5% cabernet franc.
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Matthew Jukes, April 2023, Score: 19+
Château Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande (2ème Cru Pauillac) 78 Cabernet Sauvignon, 17 Merlot, 5 Cabernet Franc 8 There is an extra dimension of juiciness and ripeness here which is, of course, unavoidable in 2022. This fruit clarity and expression make this grand wine a somewhat sleeker and glossier model than of late. There is a profound depth of fruit here, and the oak enhances this fruit elevating the nose and bringing an air of splendour to the whole. While this is a somewhat expressive Lalande, all of the classical notes are buried in this wine’s core, and they can converse fluently at this early stage. It is like taking a roll call of the essential traits needed for a great wine, and the responses are all, ‘Yes, Sir’. This is a stunning wine, and behind all of the exuberance sits a battery of tannins that will propel it forward for a long time. It is simply stunning – this is a modern, expressive and memorable Pichon Lalande and will be a favourite vintage for decades to come.
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Jeb Dunnuck, April 2023, Score: 97-100
One of the gems from Pauillac is unquestionably the 2022 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande, which is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. A hypothetical blend of the 2019 and 2020, it's a full-bodied, concentrated, opulent Comtesse offering beautiful blue fruits, some chocolate, leafy herbs, and undeniable minerality, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. Despite the higher Cabernet Sauvignon component, this stays silky, expansive, and incredibly sexy. It's going to be drinkable with just 4-5 years of bottle age but should have a lengthy drink window. Hats off to director Nicolas Glumineau for another legendary wine from this château.
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Jane Anson, April 2023, Score: 98
Exceptionally well controlled, delivering grip and tension alongside the creamy ripe blackberry, cassis and raspberry puree fruits, studded with cloves, cocoa bean, violet, iris, wet earth, heather, mandarin, orange zest, slate. Another exceptional vintage from a property that is delivering at the top of its game, this impresses without seeming to try too hard. Precision winemaking also, with very low pumpovers, reduced by half from a decade ago, and no added sulphites until putting the wine into barrel. 3.65ph, 31h/h yield, with around 50% of production split between this and Reserve.
