‘Profound’ Pichon Comtesse follows 2019 downward trend

Pauillac second growth Pichon Comtesse has followed the trend for 2019 price drops, releasing its grand vin today at 21% less than its 2018 release price.

Neal Martin believes Pichon Comtesse 2019 to be “even better and more profound” than the acclaimed 1982 vintage

As reported by Liv-ex, Pichon Comtesse 2018 was released today at €104.5 per bottle ex negociant, a drop of 20.8% on the estate’s 2018 release price of €132.

The wine is being offered by the trade at £1,332 per case, a 19.6% decrease on the 2018 opening price of £1,656 per case. Volumes are down by around 25%.

The wine received a potentially perfect score of 98-100 points from Neal Martin, one of only two from the 2019 vintage to do so from the British critic, who believes Pichon 2019 to be “even better and more profound” than the acclaimed 1982 vintage.

The wine received similarly high scores from other critics, with James Suckling giving it 98-99 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW 97-99, and Jane Anson 98. Wine Lister’s CEO, Ella Lister found the wine to be “perfectly poised, melodious, and tantalising”.

Pichon’s technical director, Nicolas Glumineau, told the Wine Lister that he had found his new “hero wine”, which eclipses the Montrose he made in 2010.

“Today’s release stands in a field of its own, scored two points higher than Neal Martin’s previously highest scored 2016 and 2018, but offered at a 15.2% and 14.7% discount, respectively,” Liv-ex said.

“Already one of Bordeaux’s most popular wines, Pichon Comtesse is seeing sharp rise in demand. This vintage could sell at almost any price – the 20% discount to last year’s release price and strong critic scores will surely see it soar,” Wine Lister added.

Smith Haut Lafitte 2019 was also released this morning at €64.80 per bottle ex-négociant, down 18% on its 2018 release price, while its 2019 white, Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, came out today at €75.60 per bottle ex-négociant – 9% down on 2018.

Also out of the blocks today were Lascombes 2019, which came out at €45.60 per bottle ex-négociant – 16% down on the 2018 release price, and Troplong-Mondot 2019 at €60 per bottle ex-négociant, down 19% on 2018.

Summary

Pichon Comtesse 2019 release price: €104.5 5 per bottle, down 21% on 2018

Smith Haut Lafitte 2019 release price: €64.80 per bottle, down 18% on 2018

Lascombes 2019 release price: €45.60 per bottle, down 16% on 2018

Troplong-Mondot 2019 release price: €60 per bottle, down 19% on 2018