Pichon Comtesse Réserve - Chateau Pichon Longueville - 2018 - Pauillac - Bordeaux - France

The second wine of the Château, the 2018 Reserve De Comtesse De Lalande checks in as 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot, with the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Terrific classic Pauillac notes of blackcurrants, lead pencil shavings, leafy tobacco, and chocolate define this beauty, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a layered, balanced, pure character, present yet ripe tannins, and a great finish. As I wrote last year, it tastes more like a Grand Vin than a second wine. The larger Merlot component shows here compared to its more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated big brother, and it's a much more plush, silky, sexy wine that already offers loads of pleasure. It's going to evolve for two decades and is well worth seeking out. -Jeb Dunnuck

Aromas of dried violets, blackcurrants, oyster shells, ink and bitter chocolate. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Concentrated and tight with an nicely austere finish. Needs a few years to soften. Second wine of Pichon Lalande. Try from 2025. - James Suckling