Reserve de la Comtesse Lalande 2020 En Primeur
91-93 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com
Composed of 47% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Reserve de la Comtesse smells of red currant, currant jelly and raspberry coulis, as well as hints of chocolate box, lilac and stewed tea, with a whiff of unsmoked cigars . The medium-bodied palate offers juicy, enveloping black fruits with a smooth texture and seamless freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick. This is a very different style from the grand vin, possessing a more playful, direct and effortlessly delicious character that really draws you in! Drinking 2024-2041.
91-93 Points, Antonio Galloni
The 2020 Réserve de la Comtesse is absolutely gorgeous. Much more expressive than today's Grand Vin, the Réserve is everything a second wine should be. Ripe dark cherry, plum, spice, menthol, licorice and tobacco complement each other in a sumptuous and lively Pauillac that impresses with its seductive personality. This is a particularly fine vintage for the Réserve. The 2020 is 47% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot - in other words, a high percentage of PV that undoubtedly sets the blend apart. Drinking 2026-2040.
92 points, Jane Anson, Decanter
Bright ruby color with purple highlights. As with many second wines in Pauillac in 2020, you should expect fairly high tannins, though they are good in construction and expressed gently when things open up. Cocoa bean and coffee smoke on the finish. This is seductive but underrated. Drink 2024-2038.
90-92 points, Neal Martin
The 2020 Réserve de Pichon Comtesse is very harmonious on the nose, featuring abundant blackberry, wild strawberry and light touches of salty licorice and hints of estuary; this will be very seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with savory black fruit and fine-grained tannins, not a powerful or deep Deuxième Vin, leading to a balanced, rather spicy and peppery finish. This should give 12-15 years of drinking pleasure. Drink 2026-2038.