2018 Château Pichon Longueville Comtésse de Lalande

Tasted blind. Richly nuanced deep crimson. Light nose but the suggestion that there is a lot there. Gentle and subtle with a glorious combination of ripe fruit and ripe tannin with freshness. Much less chewy than many others and already approachable, which perhaps forfeits half a point. But a lovely wine for now. (JR)

A gourmet vintage that I found a little atypical En Primeur but it has shown over subsequent tastings that this is in control and is going to age beautifully. Love the touches of fennel, liqurice and olive paste that sit alongside the tar, pencil lead, slate and cassis fruits. 50% new oak, 35hl/h yield because of the dry summer. A great wine that I am expecting to have the 2009 ability to surprise you with its finesse as the terroir comes through. Tasted at a chateau vertical July 2021, and again September 2021.

There is plenty of baby fat here, 2018 is a gourmet vintage with a rich and round mid-palate. Enjoyable fennel and tight black liqourice notes on the finish. This is a great vintage but the nuances have not been revealed yet, and it needs time to soften. I gave this wine 98 points last time I tasted it, when first in bottle, and that may prove correct as the terroir comes through more strongly with age. 50% new oak (lower than usual because high alcohols meant being careful to guard against over-extraction), 35hl/h yield following a dry summer. Harvest September 13 to October 11.