Pichon Lalande Tasting

Tasted Tuesday, April 19, 2016 by LWI with 905 views

Introduction

I have had a soft spot for Pichon Lalande for many years, the allegedly most feminine wine of Pauillac. The femininity may stem from a percentage of Merlot, historically a bit more than 1/3, and a little more than ½ with CS. Moreover, the use of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot varies between vintages and may reach 15%. However, the use of Cabernet Sauvignon now may reach 75%.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 1928 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    (IN fill, reconditioned at the Chateau in 1981, Adouzed for 2 hours). Sweet and sour smell, with minerals, red fruits hinting at raspberries, forest floor --- but not much. Sleek and feminine in the mouth, very pleasant, weel-balanced, soft. The age is showing, but it kept well for a good 3 hours in the glass.

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  • 1934 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    (IN fill, reconditioned at the Chateau in 1981, Adouzed for 2 hours). Initially more dark-fruited than the -28, complex nose, minerals, ‘youngish’; In the mouth: fresh wine with still much fruit, quite angular and strict, actually more so than the -28, surprisingly big bodied. After 45 minutes it falls slowly apart. 93p for the first half hour.

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Flight 3 (4 Notes)

Flight 4 (2 Notes)

Flight 5 (4 Notes)

Flight 6 (1 Note)

  • 1989 Château Suduiraut 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Blind. Dark amber. Caramel/dark toffee, marzipan, nail polish and mature cloud berries mixed with apricots, some spice; very good mouth feeling, nutty finish, a hint of bitterness, quite deep. Guessed Rieussec 89, due to the richness.

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Flight 7 (1 Note)

  • 2010 Element Winery Cabernet Franc Reserve 90 Points

    USA, New York, Finger Lakes

    (Blind). Thought that this was PN at first, but the furry elements changed and green bell peppers and spice emerged. Barnyard and blackberries, a hint of mineral, black pepper, a bit harsh tannins, a lot of dark fruit, not very long, powerful, moderate alcohol. Noe idea what this was, but did hold CF as a possibility.

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Flight 8 (3 Notes)

Flight 9 (5 Notes)

Flight 10 (4 Notes)

Flight 11 (2 Notes)

Flight 12 (4 Notes)

Flight 13 (3 Notes)

Closing

In summary, it did not always appear as a very feminine wine. It does well in off-vintages. The fruit has become darker from the mid 90’s (not just because the wines were younger). Not exactly any weak period (as some would clame the early 2000s to be), but variable. At its best, of course, very, very good.

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