The Wine Cellar Insider 98-100 Points: The intense floral bouquet kicks off the nose before getting to all of its cigar wrappers, blackberries, cocoa, cassis, chocolate, black cherries, and gentle spices in the aromas. As good as that is, the palate steals the show with its opulent, showy display of sweet, silky, perfectly ripe berries, with touches of cocoa, and sea salt. The intense finish is long, velvety, and vibrant. In short, everything is exactly where it should be. Due to its creamy nature, the wine can be enjoyed young. But it can age for 30-40 years easily. With 2025, the top three things to keep track of was staying focused and ready to pick once the grapes achieved their ideal ripeness was imperative. Picking the Merlot al dente was another key factor. Lastly, being patient for the Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve full, phenolic ripeness sealed the deal. In the cellars, less pump overs early in the fermentation, followed by an infusion of the berries was another key point. The wine blends 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. 13% ABV. 3.7 pH. The harvest took place August 28 - September 24. This is the earliest start to a harvest in the history of Pichon Lalande. Yields were a paltry 24 hectoliters per hectare. Only 55% of the harvest went into the Grand Vin. The wine is aging in 65% new, French oak barrels. Drink from 2032-2070. -Jeff Leve

Vinous 96-98 Points: The 2025 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a total stunner. A wine of depth and intensity, it soars out of the glass with layers of nuance and complexity. The 2025 has it all: aromatics, fruit density and structure to match. Pichon Comtesse is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. -Antonio Galloni