2006 Pichon Comtesse
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Tasting Notes
More youthful in appearance versus the 2003 tasted alongside, the 2006 Pichon Contesse is dark and powerful, with immediate, intense black fruit – cherry, plum and blackberry, with a dusting of dark cocoa powder alongside cigar humidor and a whisper of smoke and violets. Subtle sousbois balances the sweetness of ripe fruit, cedar and nutmeg. The nose carries through to the palate with pleasant freshness, balance and length, held by fine, persistent tannins. More broad-shouldered than 2009, but with a deftness that belies the vintage.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Displays currant and blackberry, with hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with round, chewy tannins and lots of fruit under the structure. A rich wine for the vintage, needing plenty of bottle age. Best after 2014. 16,665 cases made. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2009
The 2006 Pichon Lalande, which blows away the 2005, represents a return to the velvety-textured, rich, sexy style most readers would associate with Pichon Lalande. This blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot no Petit Verdot was included in the final blend exhibits a dense purple color as well as abundant aromas of chocolate, coffee, cedar, black currants, and a subtle touch of smoke, a rich, savory, full-bodied mouthfeel, plump, fleshy fruit, and a superb finish. This is a 21st century version of the brilliant 1996. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030. ||One of the major disappointments in 2005 was Pichon Lalande, but the change in ownership, with the Roederer/Deutz champagne firm taking control in 2006, resulted in a very severe selection being instituted, only 41% of the production went into the grand vin. Wine Advocate.February, 2009
Tasted at the property, the 2006 Chateau Pichon-Lalande has a voluminous bouquet with outgoing blackberry, cassis and violets scents, a touch of boysenberry jam tucked just underneath, although it does not quite have the delineation of the Lynch Bages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This feels very composed in the mouth, quite fresh with well-judged acidity, harmonious and tensile on the finish. This deserves a higher score than I awarded out of barrel and it continues to improve year by year. Tasted April 2016. May 2016, www.robertparker.com
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About the producer
Ch. Pichon Comtesse is one of the stars of Pauillac, and one of the original "Super Seconds" in Bordeaux. Classed as a Deuxième Cru Classé in the 1855 Bordeaux classification, it is widely recognised that Pichon Comtesse can not only match First Growths, but occasionally outperform them.