This trio of red wines from Pichon Comtesse Reserve offers a great look into three contrasting Bordeaux vintages—2009, 2010, and 2011. All are second wines of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, showing the estate’s signature style with a bit more approachability and charm in youth.

This set of red wines from Pichon Comtesse Reserve includes a bottle of vintage 2009, 2010 and 2011. 

Pichon Comtesse Reserve 2011

James Suckling | JS 88
Published: Feb 18, 2014

A wine with chewy tannins that are polished and refined but intense. Medium body with good fruit and a medium-fruity finish. Second wine of Pichon Lalande. Better in 2016. 

Pichon Comtesse Reserve 2010

James Suckling | JS 90-91
Published: Apr 19, 2011

This starts up slowly and moves on with speed. Super fine tannins and a mineral and flower and spice. Full and silky. Second wine of Pichon. 

Pichon Comtesse Reserve 2009

The Wine Advocate | RP 91
Published: Dec 23, 2011

Made from a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, the second wine, the 2009 Reserve de la Comtesse, exhibits notes of forest floor, white chocolate, licorice, black currants and vanillin-infused black cherries. It possesses a sweet, round, generous style given its high glycerin. Both the Reserve de la Comtesse and Pichon Lalande have about 13% alcohol, slightly lower than most Pauillacs achieved in 2009. Drink it over the next 10 years.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: Approximately 13–14% ABV, depending on vintage
Closure: Natural cork
Harvest: 2009, 2010 and 2011
Oak: Aged for approximately 12 months in French oak barrels; proportion of new oak varies by vintage
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot; blend proportions vary by vintage
Farming: Sustainable viticulture practices; organic certification not confirmed
Vineyard Area: Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande estate, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France. The vineyards feature deep gravel soils over clay and sand, providing excellent drainage and favourable conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Vinification: Réserve de la Comtesse is the second wine of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, produced from selected estate vineyard parcels. The grapes are harvested and vinified separately before blending, followed by maturation in French oak barrels. This three-vintage case showcases the contrasting character of Bordeaux from 2009, 2010 and 2011. The 2009 vintage is typically generous and opulent, with ripe black fruits, supple tannins and a rounded texture. The 2010 vintage offers greater structure and concentration, with cassis, dark berries, graphite and firm tannins. The 2011 vintage is more restrained and fresh, with red and black fruit, herbal notes and elegant acidity.
Winemaker: Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande winemaking team
Region: Pauillac AOC, Bordeaux, France

Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Decanting: 45–60 minutes; adjust according to vintage and bottle condition
Food Pairing: Grilled ribeye steak, roast lamb, beef tenderloin, braised short ribs, venison, duck breast, wild mushrooms and aged hard cheeses.

Pack Size: Case of 3 bottles
Bottle Size: 750ml each