Reserve de la Comtesse

In the glass

Aroma: blackcurrant, plum, cedar, violets, light tobacco

Palate: cassis, dark fruits, smooth tannins, fresh acidity, spice

Second wine of Pichon Lalande since 1973. Described by the estate as a true Pauillac brand in its own right. Higher Petit Verdot proportion adds structure and spice; the estate's characteristic silk texture is detectable even at this level.

What it pairs with

• Roast chicken with thyme and garlic
  The second wine's accessible tannins and fruit-forward palate pair beautifully with roasted poultry's natural sweetness.
• Beef bourguignon
  The cassis and tobacco notes echo the slow-braised red wine flavours in the stew; medium body matches the textures.
• Roasted duck breast with cherry compote
  Dark fruit in the wine bridges the cherry reduction; duck fat is managed by firm Cabernet structure.

How to serve Reserve de la Comtesse

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Roast chicken with thyme and garlic, Beef bourguignon, Roasted duck breast with cherry compote. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Reserve de la Comtesse has been produced since 1973, making it one of the earlier established second wines in the Medoc. Under Louis Roederer ownership it has been further developed as a standalone wine rather than just an overflow of the grand vin selection process.

1. 1973: First vintage of Reserve de la Comtesse; among the earliest formal second wines in the Medoc

Facts

Producer

Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande · visiting guide

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (36%), Petit Verdot (7%), Cabernet Franc (2%)

Classification

Pauillac AOC

Oak

18 months in 50% new French oak barriques

ABV

13.0%

Price

$35-60 at retail

Drinking window

5-20 from vintage

First vintage

1973

Frequently asked about Reserve de la Comtesse

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