Pichon-Longueville Lalande Pauillac 2021

98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a towering wine. Just as it did en primeur, the 2021 dazzles from start to finish. The Cabernets are very high in the blend, and that comes through in a Saint-Julien endowed with ton of explosive vertical lift. Lavender, dried herbs, mint, spice, rose petal and a kick of orange peel are some of the notes that run through this striking Pichon Comtesse. The aromatics alone are compelling, but everything about the 2021 speaks to class personified. Bright saline notes extend the finish. In a word: sublime. Drink: 2031-2061. (Feb 2024)"

97 points James Suckling: "Fantastic aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants and graphite. Metal shavings. It's medium-bodied, with a classy center-palate of fruit and fine, velvety tannins leading to an almost endless finish. This has so much class, especially for the vintage. Very low production. Drink after 2028. (7/8/24)"

96 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "Black-currant fruit aromas are also backed by a powerfully tannic wine. It is both elegant and concentrated, and its refined character comes from the stylish structure. The wine also has enormous potential. Drink from 2028. Alcohol 13.5%. (Jul 2024)"

95 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2021 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande wafts from the glass with aromas of blackberries and minty cassis mingled with notes of violet, lavender, pencil shavings and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and polished, it's beautifully seamless and complete, with a fleshy core of fruit, ripe acids and sweet, powdery tannins that assert themselves on the gently structured finish. This will offer a broad drinking window. It's one of the vintage's real successes, but it also represents only one-quarter of a "normal" production. Drink: 2027-2045. (2/8/24)"

95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "Just as I found from barrel, the 2021 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is stubborn on the nose at first, opening with a few swirls of the glass to reveal blackberry, cassis and light juniper aromas. The oak here is beautifully integrated. The palate is classical in style, the Cabernet patently in the driving seat—as you would expect, given it constitutes 88% of the blend. I really admire the finish on this ’21, as it appears to have gained delineation, mineralité and a little more persistence on the finish. This is an impressive Pauillac, brimming with freshness and character. Whilst it might be predestined to be overshadowed by surrounding vintages, best not to ignore this gem. Drink: 2028-2050. (Feb 2024)"

95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Merlot, the 2021 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has a deep garnet-purple color. It gallops out with profound notions of juicy blackberries, freshly crushed blackcurrants, and redcurrant preserves, leading to fragrant wafts of violets, aniseed, and sassafras, with a touch of wild sage. The light to medium-bodied palate is graceful and shimmery, with a lively line and firm, fine-grained tannins framing the energetic black fruits, finishing long with a tingly, minerally lift. (4/23/24)"

95 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot). Concentrated, with mint leaf, black chocolate, cassis and blueberry, spice, and clear tannic hold. This is the highest level of Cabernet Sauvignon in Comtesse since 2013 when it was 100% Cabernet (and 13hl/h yield) and you feel it in the character of the fruit, and the tension through the core. A more serious Comtesse than we have got used to in recent years, without sacrificing the signature finesse and elegance. IPT 76. Tasted twice. Harvest September 22 through to October 6. First year of organic conversion, 60% of production in 1st wine, 15hl/h yield, 3.76ph. 65% new oak for ageing. Alcohol 12.9%. Drink: 2028-2043. (4/7/22)"

95 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "A gorgeous fragrance on the nose, scented and deep with green peppercorns, blackcurrant leaf, cedar, tobacco and sweet cinammon. Succulent and juicy - the high acidity hits straight away. Lean and direct, but smooth, tannins have a faint graphite grip. Tangy alomst grapefruit on the palate with red berries and freshness throughout leading up to a long-lasting flavour at the end which is added to by a salty minerality. A subtle estate magic is on show. Still young and tight, this will need a few years before opening. Drinking Window: 2027-2045. (Dec 2023)"

95 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Mint, licorice, cigar box, flowers, cherries, currants, brown sugar, and spice fill the aromatic profile. Silky, fresh, vibrant, and minty, the wine is lively, energetic, crisp, chewy, and chalky. You should give this a few years before pulling a cork to allow the wine to soften and fill out. The wine blends 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Merlot. 12.9% ABV. pH 3.75. This is the second-highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the history of the estate. The harvest took place from September 22 - October 5. Yields were incredibly low at only 15 hectoliters per hectare, almost 70% below a normal harvest. Drink from 2027-2055. (7/2/24)"