Critics praise its cassis, blackberry, violet, graphite and spice, with elegant concentration, silky tannins and exceptional length. A standout 2021 Pauillac; generally best from ~2028 onward.
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2021 — professional reviews
A standout 2021 Pauillac, with scores ranging from 94–98/100.
- Vinous: 98/100 — towering, aromatic and refined; lavender, mint, spice, rose and saline minerality.
- James Suckling: 97/100 — blackberry, cassis and graphite; velvety tannins and an exceptionally long finish.
- Decanter: 96/100 — fragrant, concentrated and serious, yet elegant and finely balanced.
- Wine Enthusiast: 96/100 — powerful tannins, juicy black fruit and spice; enormous aging potential.
- Wine Advocate: 95/100 — seamless, polished and velvety, with cassis, blackberry, violet and pencil-shaving notes.
- Jeb Dunnuck: 94/100 — pure cassis, violets, graphite and mineral character.
- Wine Spectator: 94/100.
Bottom line: An unusually Cabernet-dominant, low-production vintage that delivers precision, elegance, structure and depth. Most critics suggest holding until around 2028 or later.
James Suckling 97 Points
James Suckling rated the 2021 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (it's from Pauillac, not Pessac-Léognan) a 97 points, calling it a "towering wine" with fantastic aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, and graphite. He noted the wine is still young and tight, with a gorgeous fragrance, succulence, and high acidity that will require a few years to open up and reveal its full potential.
Wine Enthusiast 96 Points
Wine Enthusiast did not review the 2021 Château Pichon Lalande; instead, they gave it a 96-point rating for a barrel sample in their 2023 review of the 2021 vintage, praising its powerful tannins, firm structure, and distinct black-currant aromas that are characteristic of the property. The wine is noted for having a pure, supple, and well-balanced style, with a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.
