Reserve de la Comtesse 2018 (RP92)

Country:             France
Region:               Pauillac Rating:                RP92, WE94, JD94, D93
Grape Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Type of Wine:   Red Wine
Bottle Size:        750ml

By Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 92
This second wine represents 41% of the crop. Composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Reserve de la Comtesse springs from the glass with vibrant scents of ripe blackcurrants, black raspberries and baked plums, plus suggestions of pencil lead, cedar chest, ground cloves and lilacs. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly crafted with fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness nicely framing the delicate fruit, finishing earthy.

Wine Enthusiast 94
This is already a very approachable wine. With its touches of spice behind the black currant fruits, the wine is a fine example of this vintage, fruit and a warm structure. Like all good second wines, it will develop relatively quickly.

Jeb Dunnuck 94
A candidate for the second wine of the vintage, the 2019 Réserve De Comtesse De Lalande is stunning stuff that surpasses the Grand Vins of most châteaux. Pure cassis and darker currants as well as tobacco leaf, lead pencil, and spring flowers all define the bouquet, and it's pure class on the palate, with a seamless, elegant, supple mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It's one classy Pauillac that I'd be thrilled to drink any time over the coming two decades. Best After 2022

Decanter 93
This is well structured and approaches 2010 in terms of its weight and depth of fruit. Deep spiced damson on the nose, you would be hard pressed not to say that this is as good as very many Cru Bourgeois 1st wines. Huge depth, similar to the 2018 but a little higher acidity, a little less round, a little more classic Pauillac in character. This is confident and serious with lots of tannins. A great 2nd wine, and a reminder of the consistently successful winemaking that is happening at this estate.