Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2001 (750ML)

93 Points, Robert M. Parker Jr., Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A distinctive bouquet of violets, soy, pepper, blackberries, cassis, and tree bark gives this 2001 a singular style. This dense ruby/purple-colored blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and a whopping 14% Petit Verdot exhibits plenty of structure, wonderful sweetness, a closed style, but a rich, textured, persistent character. The unusually large percentage of Petit Verdot gives the wine more structure and less initial charm. This beauty needs some time in the cellar. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018." 06/04

93 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2001 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a vintage that I was surprised to discover I had not tasted for a decade. Showing light bricking on the rim, it has an open nose of brambly red berry fruit intermixed with cola, sage and tobacco, the relative higher proportion of Merlot rendering a different Grand Vin compared to nowadays. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, ripe and now quite melted tannins. Savory in style, this is becoming quite a Saint-Julien-like Pauillac, hints of dried blood developing toward the finish as secondary notes become more pronounced. This is now reaching its maturity, although it has the substance to last another 20-some years." 06/21