Wine Entry : Reserve de la Comtesse Pauillac 1997 (French)

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This was one of the two bottles of wine that C.K. and myself won from Carrefour Wine Fair lucky draw sometime in 2004 (I think?). It is probably in the range of $55-$60 and from the 2nd growth chateau of Pichon Longuevilla. It has a deep dark cheery red colour with absolutely not signs of aging even thought it is a 9 year old wine.

Smell : Intense fruit of cheery and raspberry scent, with hint of smoke and burnt oak.

Taste : The first taste of the wine hits you with full-medium bodied fruit, which slowly transitions to an easy palate and smooth flow with no/light tannins.

After-taste : Finishing with oak & spice, even gourmet cheese, dark chocolate at the end..

Other descriptions : Since 1978 this Chateau has been owned and run by Edouard Miailhe's daughter, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing. After having carried out an ambitious 12-year renovation program, May De Lencquesaing has now raised the quality of this Château to one of the highest in the Médoc. With a total of 185 acres under production, only 6,000 cases are produced under their second wine, Réserve De La Comtesse, which has been officially marketed since 1973, but was first introduced as early as 1890. Vinification in temperature controlled stainless steel vats, with aging 18 months in oak barrels (25% new).

When this vintage was first released it was, with the exception of Sauterne, a great dissapointment. However now this vintage offers great surprises. These wines are perfect to be drunk from 2004 onwards. Bordeaux did not enjoy favourable weather. Growth was early due to a warm spring but many flowers shattered, even rotted because of the rain at the end of May and June. Picking lasted a month. The properties that picked the Cabernet Sauvignon later were lucky. The dry white wines have a low acidity and therefore limited keeping qualities but there is stil a fruity well developped taste. For sweet wines, a demp and sunny autumn enabled noble rot to grow, making the sweet wines splendid.