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Pichon Comtesse: The blend in the second wine
Pichon Comtesse is an estate in Pauillac on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, producing red wines. The full name is Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. Here, the focus is on the second wine, Réserve de la Comtesse, to explore how the blend composition changes by vintage.
We’ll compare two vintages of Réserve de la Comtesse. First, confirm its status as a second wine, then read the blend proportions in the technical details.
Questions for this course
What changes between the 2021 and 2022 Réserve de la Comtesse?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande / Learn from the producer
France / Bordeaux / Pauillac
Synonym/Label: Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande / Pichon Comtesse / Pichon Lalande / Pichon Comtesse / Pichon Lalande
Update date: 2026-09-25
Positioned as a second wine
Réserve de la Comtesse is the château’s second wine. When comparing labels, always check whether you’re reading the grand vin or the second wine. "Second" refers to the producer’s lineup and is not the 2nd Growth from the 1855 classification.
Years with three varieties and years with four varieties
According to MMD USA's technical notes, in 2021 the blend was 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot. In 2022, it was 54%, 34%, and 10% respectively, with Cabernet Franc added at 2%. The fact that Cabernet Franc appears in the 2022 blend is different from being first planted that year.
Compare the values in the technical section.
The technical sections for both years state an aging period of 12 months. The comparison here is based on technical details for clearly specified wines and vintages. Mixing wine critics’ texts on the same page into the same table could treat information from different times as if under identical conditions.
What to align and what to compare.
Label
- Conditions to standardize
- The same château
- Conditions for comparison.
- Grand Vin and Réserve de la Comtesse
- Additional points to confirm
- Which brand the technical materials being read refer to
Grapes
- Conditions to standardize
- Réserve 2021 and 2022
- Conditions for comparison.
- Petit Verdot at 8% and 10%; in 2022, 2% Cabernet Franc
- Additional points to confirm
- Can you specify the year and column displayed?
Aging
- Conditions to standardize
- Technical details for both vintages
- Conditions for comparison.
- Both periods are 12 months.
- Additional points to confirm
- Ensure you are not mixing up reviews or vintages used.
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Pichon Comtesse: Reading source material — The blend in the second wine
Compare the stated conditions in the documentation. Numbers specifying vintages should be treated as information for that specific year.
This summarizes materials published by producers, regional groups, and importers. Each source includes the publisher and the date the material was checked.
| Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning. | Réserve de la Comtesse is a second wine. | Different from Second Growth classification. |
| 2021 | CS 56／M 36／PV 8% | CS = Cabernet Sauvignon, M = Merlot, PV = Petit Verdot |
| Year 2022 | CS 54／M 34／PV 10／CF 2% | CF = Cabernet Franc. In both years, the aging period in the technical description is 12 months. |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What does 'second wine' refer to?
In this case, it refers to a different label from the Grand Vin. Do not confuse this with classification rankings. If you specify the wine name and year first, you'll avoid mixing up overall château descriptions with technical data for individual products.
Which grape variety is listed as 2% in the technical column for 2022?
The 2022 blend is made from four grape varieties including 2% Cabernet Franc. In 2021, the technical details list three varieties totaling 100%. The differences seen in the blend by year alone cannot be used to determine the timing of new plantings or vineyard ownership.
How did Petit Verdot change from 2021 to 2022?
Petit Verdot increases from 8% to 10%, a 2-point rise. The extent of change gives information about the composition of the finished wine. Do not determine the strength of aroma or structure from this number alone; consider the other varieties and condition of the base material as well.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Please explain differences in raw materials and winemaking by reading the table and sources.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning. | Réserve de la Comtesse is a second wine. | Different from Second Growth classification. | |
| 2021 | CS 56／M 36／PV 8% | CS = Cabernet Sauvignon, M = Merlot, PV = Petit Verdot | |
| Year 2022 | CS 54／M 34／PV 10／CF 2% | CF = Cabernet Franc. In both years, the aging period in the technical description is 12 months. |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Explain the positioning of the second wine and list two differences in the blend between 2021 and 2022.
Check after writing
- In this case, it refers to a different label from the Grand Vin. Do not confuse this with classification rankings. If you specify the wine name and year first, you'll avoid mixing up overall château descriptions with technical data for individual products.
- The 2022 blend is made from four grape varieties including 2% Cabernet Franc. In 2021, the technical details list three varieties totaling 100%. The differences seen in the blend by year alone cannot be used to determine the timing of new plantings or vineyard ownership.
- Petit Verdot increases from 8% to 10%, a 2-point rise. The extent of change gives information about the composition of the finished wine. Do not determine the strength of aroma or structure from this number alone; consider the other varieties and condition of the base material as well.
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