Updated: May 5, 2024
Similar to 2009 in terms of structure and fruit profile. Weightier, slightly lengthier and intense; darker fruit; not as fine-grained for the tannins. Less floral on the nose and elegance on the palate, compared to 2009. Second wine of Pichon Lalande. We tasted this wine again in the first week of May 2024.
The esteemed Derek Smedley rated this wine 93, a testament to his discerning palate. The nose is bramble-fresh with more profound, more intense black fruits. The tannins are structured but ripe, and towards the back, the sweetness of the cassis shows through, enriching the finish.
James Suckling has rated this wine 91 points, indicating that it is a high-quality wine worth considering for your collection or enjoyment.
Indulge in the very polished tannins that caress the palate, creating a full-bodied sensation. It's not just fruity, it's a symphony of fruit flavors, pretty and refined. The mineral and berry character comes through subtly, adding depth to the experience.
91-point Vinous by Neal Martin writes that this 2010 Réserve de la Comtesse has a tight, broody bouquet that feels a little thin compared to its peers in this flight. Red berry fruit, brown spices and iron filling scents only reluctantly emerge, gradually adding weight, and in the end, the aromatics are very satisfying. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, attractive red and black fruit, and a little leathery with cedar notes towards the lively finish. (NM) (2/2022)
Ninety points Wine Spectator says that this vibrant and silky wine slides down almost too quickly. Its delicious red and black currant fruit is laced with hints of anise, violet, and black tea. A flicker of singed balsa wood keeps the finish going. This wine pairs well with a variety of dishes, including roasted meats, grilled vegetables, and aged cheeses.
Jancis Robinson believes that the 2010 Réserve de la Comtesse has a deep garnet colour, indicating its maturity. The wine presents ripe dark fruit on the nose, with a fresh and lightly herbal note. On the palate, it offers juicy and extremely elegant tannins, silky and perfectly matched to the fruit. The finish is chalky, adding to its overall balance and complexity.
Bright, dark ruby with a tight rim. Fragrances-dry violets. Ripe dark fruit; chocolaty, fruity finish. Quite elegant; fine tannins; good structure; medium length; medium body. Very palatable. Drinking fine.
Scores and notes are:
RP91. Made from a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, the second wine, the 2009 Reserve de la Comtesse, exhibits notes of forest floor, white chocolate, liquorice, black currants and vanillin-infused black cherries. In addition, it possesses a sweet, round, generous style, given its high glycerin. The Reserve de la Comtesse and Pichon Lalande have about 13% alcohol, slightly lower than most Pauillacs achieved in 2009. Edited.
JS91. Currants and flowers on the nose. Dried spices as well. Full-bodied, with silky yet chewy tannins and a long finish. Dense and solid. Second wine of Pichon-Lalande. Edited.
92, Derek Smedley. Bilberry freshness gives a lighter feel to the nose, but the fruit on the palate is rich and ripe, giving flesh in the middle. The blueberry and bramble are sweet, backed up by dark chocolate enriching the back palate. The fruit mix lingers on the finish.
Giscours is the flagship of Labarde. While firmly grounded on a Third Growth, where does Giscours stand? As the owner said, Giscours is a 'null autre', meaning second to none. But is it an indictment of consumer sovereignty? One cannot say they are good and believe they are good! However, a Labarde shall always need time. Its tannins are firm and austere. It is always a masculine Margaux that absolution needs time to resolve the strong characters.
After 14 years, we are convinced that this bottle of Giscours 2009 may be good enough. The aromatics have retained a reasonable degree of freshness, nuanced and complex. It offers, on the palate, is full-bodied with grainy yet tamed tannins, deep broody dark and red berried/currant fruits, touches of cocoa and a hint of cracked black pepper, leather and a tone of dark chocolate, reflecting the growing season as well as the terroir. Formed from a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot using 50% new oak from seven suppliers, it is still lactic in the finish. Smooth, there is no flabbiness marking the finish, and it offers decent length. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. So it is a wine to savour now.
Scores are high. The tastings and scores are also consistent, such as
RP95 The finest Giscours in my professional career (I said the same thing from barrel), this dense purple wine has a lovely nose of burning embers, charcoal, creme de cassis, new saddle leather and damp, forest floor notes. It is full-bodied, with sweet, well-integrated tannins and a multi-dimensional, almost skyscraper-like mid-palate and finish. With its low acidity and remarkable substance and depth, this gorgeous wine should age beautifully for 20-30 years. Edited.
JS95 Aromas of blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Very beautiful. The entire body, with a solid core of fruit and firm tannins. It is balanced and refined. This bottle is ultra-refined. Best wine from here since 1970. One of the great values of the vintage. Best after 2018. Edited.
