Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac 2025 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The Louis Roederer champagne house acquired this renowned cuvée with the firm intention of restoring it to its former glory as a model grand cru after several disappointing vintages. Significant efforts have been made in viticulture, increasingly inspired by organic practices; a state-of-the-art winery has been built; and the blends have increased the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon while retaining the contributions of the three other grape varieties, which define the cuvée’s uniqueness. The wine has gained in vigor without losing its charm and finesse.

Guide Hachette des vins

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Owned by the Rouzaud family (Louis Roederer champagnes) since 2007, the estate turned a new page in its history nearly a decade ago. Under the direction of Nicolas Glumineau, it has since relaunched its pursuit of excellence and aims to reclaim the “super second” status it held in the 1980s, thanks to the production of a series of legendary vintages (1982, 1986, 1989). While the 2000s were less successful, the most recent vintages—delivering a more precise and straightforward wine, with a stronger emphasis on Cabernet—are far more compelling.

Wine Enthusiast

James Suckling

About the wine:

A deep, vibrant red color with a rich bouquet. Aromas of blackcurrant and violet carry through to a medium-bodied palate with fine, linear tannins that are long and very refined. A wine defined by its tannins, yet smooth and caressing. Lively and elegant, with good structure. 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Aromas of pure blackcurrant, aromatic herbs, spring flowers, and graphite emerge from the Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse De Lalande 2025, a blend composed of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. It offers a medium-bodied to full-bodied palate, a perfectly balanced texture, ultra-fine tannins, and an incredible finish. The balance, length, complexity, and sheer class of this wine are exceptional. It has an alcohol content of 13%, a pH of 3.7, and an IPT of 73. Hats off to winemaker Nicolas Glumineau for yet another absolutely sensational Comtesse!

Yves Beck

About the wine:

What intensity and subtlety in this bouquet! What might seem paradoxical is, above all, thrilling. The intensity does not overshadow the details, the many subtleties that Pichon Comtesse displays with precision. The interplay between ripeness and freshness is masterfully executed, giving way to floral notes, followed by mint and a hint of garrigue, then classic notes of blueberries and blackberries. On the palate, the wine is imposing from the very first sip. It is full-bodied and precise, with breadth while following a very linear progression. Its tannins reveal themselves late, reinforcing their impact in a focused manner. Their aim is to guide the entire palate without needing to raise their voice. Their aura and serenity are more than enough! A wine shaped by its terroir, by the place, and by the men and women who interpret and sculpt it to craft a vision that is as contemporary as it is authentic. It embodies its identity with astonishing serenity, possessing an impressive ability to reveal its power gently and without fanfare, yet with such precision! 2033–2070

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

The intense floral bouquet immediately captivates the nose, before giving way to aromas of cigar leaf, blackberries, cocoa, blackcurrant, chocolate, black cherries, and sweet spices. As enticing as that may be, it is the palate that steals the show with its opulent and spectacular display of sweet, silky, and perfectly ripe berries, enhanced by notes of cocoa and sea salt. The intense finish is long, velvety, and vibrant. In short, everything is exactly where it should be. Thanks to its creamy character, this wine can be enjoyed young. But it can easily age for 30 to 40 years. In 2025, the three priorities were to remain focused and ready to harvest as soon as the grapes reached their ideal ripeness. Harvesting the Merlot “al dente” was also a key factor. Finally, exercising patience to allow the Cabernet Sauvignon to reach full phenolic ripeness was crucial. In the cellar, reducing pump-overs at the start of fermentation, followed by a maceration of the berries, was another key point. The blend consists of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. 13% alcohol. pH of 3.7. The harvest took place from August 28 to September 24. This marks the earliest start to the harvest in the history of Pichon Lalande. Yields were extremely low, at 24 hectoliters per hectare. Only 55% of the harvest was used for the Grand Vin. The wine is aged in barrels, 65% of which are new French oak. Best enjoyed between 2032 and 2070