2010 Pichon Comtesse de Lalande

98 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

Closed up on the nose - classic Pauillac - this has real power, flesh, depth and precision. It's a big wine, far more so than the 2009 from Comtesse, but without compromising on the perfume and finesse that's so distinctive of this property. The tannins are still tight and monumental. 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, aged in 60% new oak.

98 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

An eternal wine, the 2010 Pichon Lalande is a total showstopper. The first impression is one of explosive power, but time in the glass brings out the wine’s more delicate, floral side. Violet, graphite, crème de cassis, licorice and menthol overtones recall the 1996, but the tannins here are much softer, sweeter and more polished. In two recent tastings, the 2010 has been positively stellar. The alternation of hot days and cool nights led to a late harvest. The Cabernet Sauvignon harvest did not start until October 7; by that date in 2009 all the fruit was in. Readers who can still find the 2010 should not hesitate, as it is a modern-day classic. That’s all there is to it.

96 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

With signs of new wood on the palate, this is a wine that maintains the polished feel of the wines from Pichon Lalande. It has a stronger presence of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than in the past, making it more structured than its predecessors, with a dominance of black currant flavor. It shows the soft side of the vintage, but is also meant for aging.

96 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Fair to say, I’m quite fond of Bordeaux. And I like ‘natural’ wines too. Pretty much, whatever is good, I’m up for. “Mixing pop and politics, he asks me what the use is. I offer him embarrassment and my usual excuses.” Anyway, to check on the Woodlands Thomas, I opened this, and to check on this, I opened a 2010 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron. Oh my, I swallowed a fly. Youthful char on opening, clearing to reveal violet, vanilla and pencil perfume over plush dark fruit, spice and earthy bass notes. Medium to full bodied, clean and minerally acidity, with deluxe plush tannin, almost silky, but enveloping and controlling, with a finish that’s very long and precise. It has depth and intensity, without any heaviness: true claret. Definition and a whole lot of class. This will become a thing of beauty in a decade or two.

95 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

94-96 Very juicy wine, suffused with acidity. It has a core of dry tannins, even while the fruit and acidity dominate. There's a great sense of richness as well as freshness.

94 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2010 Pichon-Lalande is again, very deep in colour. It has a compact nose that demands aeration, opening up with blackberry, raspberry coulis, graphite and light iris aromas, all well defined but implying that it has more to give in the future. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a little peppery in style with a smooth and harmonious, more Saint-Julien like finish. It is an extremely charming and drinkable Pauillac though and it has the substance to age for many years. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

94 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2010 Pichon-Lalande has a very beguiling bouquet with a very expressive Merlot at the moment. There is a sense of warmth coming through, touches of liquorice and allspice, although it remains delineated and intense. The palate is medium-bodied with those subtle marine influences that I have observed in previous bottles. I was maybe expecting a little more precision and grip on the finish, but it remains a gorgeous Pichon-Lalande, even if it has been surpassed by subsequent vintages like the 2015 and 2016. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.

Richard Hemming MW - JancisRobinson.com

Subtle but luxurious spice from adroitly handled oak. Black cherry fruit, smoke, dried herbs and fine grained tannins. Excellent and classic. Score: 17.5/20